Books with author Catherine Urell

In Catherine Lowell’s smart and original debut novel—“an enjoyable academic romp that successfully combines romance and intrigue” (Publishers Weekly)—the only remaining descendant of the Brontë family embarks on a modern-day literary treasure hunt to find the family’s long-rumored secret estate, using only the clues her father left behind and the Brontës’ own novels.Samantha Whipple is used to stirring up speculation wherever she goes. Since her eccentric father’s untimely death, she is the presumed heir to a long-rumored trove of diaries, paintings, letters, and early novel drafts passed down from the Brontë family—a hidden fortune never revealed to anyone outside of the family, but endlessly speculated about by Brontë scholars and fanatics. Samantha, however, has never seen this alleged estate and for all she knows, it’s just as fictional as Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights. But everything changes when Samantha enrolls at Oxford University and long lost objects from the past begin rematerializing in her life, beginning with an old novel annotated in her father’s handwriting. With the help of a handsome but inscrutable professor, Samantha plunges into a vast literary mystery and an untold family legacy, one that can only be solved by decoding the clues hidden within the Brontës’ own works. A fast-paced adventure from start to finish, The Madwoman Upstairs is a smart and original novel and a moving exploration of what happens when the greatest truth is, in fact, fiction.

How does a deer mouse make a thimble? Which bird is a backyard acrobat? What makes a firefly glow? Worms and squirrels, deer and little brown bats: Creatures in every part of your backyard, from under the ground to up in the trees, come to life in Backyard Wilderness. Whether your backyard is 50 acres in the country or 500 square feet in the city, it is a wilderness for you to explore. You may have seen birds and butterflies, squirrels and spiders, but there is probably a whole lot more going on that you have never seen or thought about! In this book you will learn about a variety of creatures that may live in your backyard wilderness. Many of the kinds of animals we show here—from mammals to insects—occur throughout much of North America. If a certain species does not live in your area, a similar one probably does. For example, if an eastern cottontail doesn’t live where you do, perhaps a desert cottontail does instead. Be creative as you seek the creatures around you.

Joanna Bannerman, capricious, selfish and warm-hearted, passionately seeks life and ‘loveliness’. Certainly the bustling streets of Glasgow at the turn of the century promise much greater excitement than the solid evangelical background she has known hitherto. Her studies in the School of Art open up new horizons – of independence and love – and Joanna reaches for them all.First published in 1920, this novel powerfully evokes the image of a young woman ensnared yet ultimately released by her capacity for emotion. It contains a strong autobiographical element and is also a powerful evocation of the life and industry of the Second City of the Empire.

In Catherine Lowell’s smart and original debut novel—hailed by Deborah Harkness as a “charming and memorable read”—the last remaining descendant of the Brontë family embarks on a modern-day literary scavenger hunt, using only the clues her eccentric father left behind, and the Brontës’ own novels.Samantha Whipple is used to stirring up speculation wherever she goes. Since her father’s untimely death, she is the presumed heir to a long-rumored trove of diaries, paintings, letters, and early novel drafts passed down from the Brontë family—a hidden fortune never revealed to anyone outside of the family, but endlessly speculated about by Brontë scholars and fanatics. Samantha, however, has never seen this alleged estate and for all she knows, it’s just as fictional as Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights. But everything changes when Samantha enrolls at Oxford University and long lost objects from her past begin rematerializing in her life, beginning with an old novel annotated in her father’s handwriting. With the help of a handsome but inscrutable professor, Samantha plunges into a vast literary mystery and an untold family legacy, one that can only be solved by repurposing the tools of literature and decoding the clues hidden within the Brontës’ own novels. A fast-paced adventure from start to finish for readers who devoured The Weird Sisters and Special Topics in Calamity Physics, The Madwoman Upstairs is a moving exploration of what happens when the greatest truth is, in fact, fiction.

'A funny, smart read with a kick-ass heroine' Sun on Sunday. A witty, light-hearted comedy about love and fiction, and the all-important difference between the two. Think you know Charlotte, Emily & Anne? Think again. Samantha Whipple is the last remaining descendent of the illustrious Brontë family, of Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre fame. After losing her father, a brilliant author in his own right, it is up to Samantha to piece together the mysterious family inheritance lurking somewhere in her past - yet the only clues she has at her disposal are the Brontë's own novels. With the aid of her handsome but inscrutable Oxford tutor, Samantha must repurpose the tools of literature to unearth an untold family legacy, and in the process, finds herself face to face with what may be literature's greatest secret.

Samantha Whipple, last descendant of the Brontë family, is rumored to have inherited a portion of the Brontës' literary estate""diaries, paintings, letters, and drafts""a hidden treasure that has not been shown outside of the family. Samantha has never seen this rumored estate, and she has no interest in it. But everything changes when she enrolls at Oxford and items of her past start mysteriously arriving at her door. As more clues arrive, Samantha realizes that her father left her an elaborate scavenger hunt. With the aid of a handsome Oxford professor, Samantha must decode clues hidden in the Brontës' own writing to solve a literary mystery and an untold family legacy.

TREGONNA BOOK ONEWhen tragedy strikes, Tregonna is forced to leave behind her Settlement and the life of a Maid and throw in her lot with a Balladeer, Dacre McQuire. Adapting to his nomadic and carefree lifestyle, she finds herself abandoned after a vicious attack and has no option but to accept the patronage of a high-powered Noble, Chancellor Mercer whose plans for her include attending the Noble college of Trelawney. Once there she discovers that many view her presence as a threat to the controlling power of the Shadow and the Unitary System. When Dacre reappears she decides to abandon the opportunities promised to her for the life she craves. Only others, including the Shadow have different plans for her and some are prepared to stop at nothing to make her pay for her pretensions.

A question scritches and scratches at the back of Emma's throat.Emma is a curious kid. She loves to ask questions—and she loves the silly answers that her grandmother always gives. But now Emma has a very important question, one that she is bursting to ask, one that scritches and scratches at the back of her throat. Her grandmother is sick and has to stay in the hospital. Emma wonders if Grandma will still be able to read to her kindergarten; if she will still make up funny stories over bagels on Wednesdays; if she will still be able to watch her after school. But mostly Emma wonders if Grandma is going to die.EMMA'S QUESTION helps families to answer the question that all kids face at one time or another. Geared toward young children, the story uses gentle humor and simple explanations to describe what is happening to Grandma in the hospital. Funny, sweet illustrations show the depth and closeness of Emma and Grandma’s relationship.

Samantha Whipple, last descendant of the Brontë family, is rumored to have inherited a portion of the Brontës' literary estate""diaries, paintings, letters, and drafts""a hidden treasure that has not been shown outside of the family. Samantha has never seen this rumored estate, and she has no interest in it. But everything changes when she enrolls at Oxford and items of her past start mysteriously arriving at her door. As more clues arrive, Samantha realizes that her father left her an elaborate scavenger hunt. With the aid of a handsome Oxford professor, Samantha must decode clues hidden in the Brontës' own writing to solve a literary mystery and an untold family legacy.