Books with author A. J. McAllister

The animals of Mistmantle have enjoyed a long period of peace and prosperity since the violent Raven War. Their tranquility is disrupted when tidal waves threaten to destroy the island. Mossberry, a squirrel with delusions of grandeur, sees the impending disaster as an opportunity to rise to power...and his reckless decisions will put many citizens in harm's way. Urchin of the Riding Stars must stop Mossberry and usher everyone to safety before it is too late. Along the way, the ultimate sacrifice must be made for the survival of all. Deeply moving and packed with adventure, this is a fitting conclusion to the beloved Mistmantle Chronicles.

The peace of Mistmanle is disrupted when tidal waves threaten to destroy the island. Mossberry, a squirrel with delusions of grandeur, sees the impending disaster as an opportunity to rise to power...but his reckless decisions will put many citizens in harm''s way. But Urchin must make the ultimate sacrifice if he wants to save everyone. The conclusion of the Mistmantle Chronicles is bursting with heart and adventure.

Written and Published in New York in 1890. (469 pages)About the Author from Wikipedia: Born Samuel Ward McAllister to a socially prominent Savannah, Georgia judicial family, established himself as a successful attorney in California during the Gold Rush. He used the earnings from his legal prowess to journey throughout Europe's great cities and spas—Bath, Pau, Bad Nauheim, and the like-—where he observed the mannerisms of the titled nobility. Upon his return to the United States, McAllister settled in New York City and married heiress Sarah Taintor Gibbons. Using his wife's wealth and his own social connections (he was related to lobbyist Samuel Cutler Ward, who had married a granddaughter of John Jacob Astor), McAllister sought to become a tastemaker amongst New York's "Knickerbocracy", a collection of old merchant and landowning families who traced their lineage back to the days of colonial New Amsterdam. Above all in McAllister's life, it was his desire for social recognition and what he termed "Tong", the cream of society. Although purported to be an index of New York's best families, McAllister's list was suspiciously top-heavy with nouveau riche industrialists and McAllister's southern allies, seeking a new start in the nation's financial capital after the American Civil War. In his glory, McAllister referred to his patroness, Mrs. Caroline Astor (The Mrs. Astor), as his "Mystic Rose." He was largely responsible for turning the simple seaside resort of Newport, Rhode Island into a mecca for the pleasure-seeking, status-conscious rich of the Gilded Age. Among the undesirables McAllister endeavored to exclude from the charmed circle of the Four Hundred were the many nouveau riche Midwesterners who poured into New York seeking social recognition. McAllister's downfall came when he published a book of memoirs entitled "Society as I Have Found It" in 1890. The book, and his hunger for media attention, did little to endear him to the old guard, who valued their privacy in an era when millionaires were the equivalent of modern movie stars. McAllister died in disgrace while dining alone at New York's Union Club, in January 1895. His funeral, held on February 5, 1895, was well attended by many society figures of the day, including Chauncey Depew and Cornelius Vanderbilt II.CONTENTS:Chapter I. MY FAMILY — Chapter II. LAW AND HOUSEKEEPING — Chapter III. INTRODUCTION TO LONDON SPORTS — Chapter IV. A WINTER IN ITALY — Chapter V. GERMANY AND THE ALPS — Chapter VI. WINTER IN PAU — Chapter VII. HOME AGAIN — Chapter VIII. MERRYMAKING IN THE SOUTH — Chapter IX. LIFE AT NEWPORT — Chapter X. SOCIETY'S LEADERS — Chapter XI. DELIGHTS OF COUNTRY LIFE — Chapter XII. FASHIONABLE PEOPLE — Chapter XIII. COTILLIONS, INDOORS AND OUT — Chapter XIV. AN ERA OF GREAT EXTRAVAGANCE — Chapter XV. ON THE BOX SEAT AT NEWPORT — Chapter XVI. SOCIAL UNITY — Chapter XVII. A GOLDEN AGE OF FEASTING — Chapter XVIII. ENTERING SOCIETY — Chapter XIX. ENTERTAINING — Chapter XX. MADEIRAS — Chapter XXI. CHAMPAGNES AND OTHER WINES — Chapter XXII. DINNERS — Chapter XXIII. COOKS AND CATERING — Chapter XXIV. BALLS — Chapter XXV. FAMOUS NEWPORT BALLS — Chapter XXVI. AN ERA OF EXTRAVAGANCE — Chapter XXVII. WASHINGTON DINNERS AND NEW YORK BALLSEXCERPT:......THE first object to be aimed at is to make your dinners so charming and agreeable that invitations to them are eagerly sought for, and to let all feel that it is a great privilege to dine at your house, where they are sure they will meet only those whom they wish to meet. You cannot instruct people by a book how to entertain. Success in entertaining is accomplished by magnetism and tact, which combined constitute social genius. It is the ladder to social success. If successfully done, it naturally creates jealousy. I have known a family who for years outdid every one in giving exquisite dinners — driven to Europe for the rest of their days, on finding a neighbor outdoing them.

A Washington Post Notable Book of the YearA Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year“Explosive” –Entertainment Weekly“Scalding” –The New Yorker“One of the most highly acclaimed novels of the year thus far.” –BustleFORMER TEACHER HAD MOTIVE. Recently suspended for a so-called outburst, high school English teacher Anna Crawford is stewing over the injustice at home when she is shocked to see herself named on television as a suspect in a shooting at the school where she works. Though she is quickly exonerated, and the actual teenage murderer identified, her life is nevertheless held up for relentless scrutiny and judgment as this quiet town descends into media mania. Gun sales skyrocket, victims are transformed into martyrs, and the rules of public mourning are ruthlessly enforced. Anna decides to wholeheartedly reject the culpability she’s somehow been assigned, and the rampant sexism that comes with it, both in person and online. A piercing feminist howl written in trenchant prose, How to Be Safe is a compulsively readable, darkly funny exposé of the hypocrisy that ensues when illusions of peace are shattered.

Uncover the stories from one of the greatest-novelists of all time in this beautiful anthology of tales from Charles Dickens, rewritten in an accessible way for children. Compiled in date order of when Dickens wrote them, this book introduces children to eight of his greatest works, accompanied by beautiful, colourful illustrations which breathes new life into these timeless classics. Includes favourites such as Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, and Great Expectations. A timeline at the back shows when each story was written, and gives facts about Dickens’ life.

The inhabitants of Swan Isle are in great danger--their home has been taken over by bloodthirsty ravens. The brave animals of Mistmantle rush to the aid of their friends. The vengeful ravens are powerful and won''t stop until they hunt down and destroy every creature on the island. Only by using all of their courage and cunning will Urchin and his friends stand a chance to preserve life as they know it on their beloved home.

What do you do when your first big event ends with a bang … of a gunshot?A new cozy mystery from Ivy McAllisterFran is struggling to make it as a party planner. When she lands a huge birthday party in a big mansion, it looks like she finally caught her big break. Until the owner is murdered. After her friend is labeled the prime suspect, Fran must track down the killer before her friend winds up in jail. Can Fran solve the mystery and save her friend before the murderer strikes again?Murder in the Park is part of the Fran Finch Cozy Mystery series. If you like fun cozy mysteries, you are going to love Murder in the Park.Buy Murder in the Park and start solving your next mystery today!Always FREE on Kindle Unlimited

After his last adventures, Urchin of the Riding Stars has taken his place as a trusted member of the Circle in King Crispin's court. Life on the island is back to normal, with little Princess Catkin growing up and testing everyone’s patience in the process. But daily life is disrupted when Lord Arcneck and other inhabitants of Swan Isle come to Mistmantle asking for help. Their home has been taken over by bloodthirsty ravens that are attacking them and ravaging everything in sight. The brave animals of Mistmantle rush to the aid of their friends, but in doing so, incur the wrath of the invaders upon themselves. The vengeful ravens are powerful and won’t stop until they hunt down and destroy every creature on the island. Only by using all of their courage and cunning will Urchin and his friends stand a chance to preserve life as they know it on their beloved home.

A Washington Post Notable Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year“Explosive” –Entertainment Weekly“Scalding” –The New Yorker“One of the most highly acclaimed novels of the year thus far.” –BustleFORMER TEACHER HAD MOTIVE. Recently suspended for a so-called outburst, high school English teacher Anna Crawford is stewing over the injustice at home when she is shocked to see herself named on television as a suspect in a shooting at the school where she works. Though she is quickly exonerated, and the actual teenage murderer identified, her life is nevertheless held up for relentless scrutiny and judgment as this quiet town descends into media mania. Gun sales skyrocket, victims are transformed into martyrs, and the rules of public mourning are ruthlessly enforced. Anna decides to wholeheartedly reject the culpability she’s somehow been assigned, and the rampant sexism that comes with it, both in person and online. A piercing feminist howl written in trenchant prose, How to Be Safe is a compulsively readable, darkly funny exposé of the hypocrisy that ensues when illusions of peace are shattered.