Books with author M.L. Stainer

Book One of The Lyon Saga. In April, 1587, under the patronage of Sir Walter Ralegh, The Red Lyon set sail from England bound for the American colonies. Among its passengers were 14-year-old Jessabel Archarde and her family, seeking to do their part to establish the colonies for the glory of Queen Elizabeth I. Their destination was Chesapeake Bay, but a dispute between Captain John White and the ship’s pilot resulted in the passengers being abandoned on Roanoke Island in North Carolina. Captain White returned to England for more supplies, leaving Jess and the other passengers to fend for themselves in unfamiliar territory and surrounded by danger. The Lyon Saga, a series of five books covering 25 years, tells the story of these first colonists through the eyes of Jessabel Archarde. Her compelling story is skillfully interwoven with actual events of that time period as they happened, or might have happened, including roving Spanish soldiers, marauding Indians, diseases and other hardships. Action and adventure abound, and readers ages 12 and up will find themselves swept up in Jess’s eventful life. The Lyon Saga books are a fictional treat and a perfect complement to the study of America’s early colonial history.

Book Three of The Lyon Saga. After living with the Croatoan Indians for almost two years, several of the colonists decide to cross to the mainland and head south, in the hope of finding possible survivors of the ravaged Chesapeake colony. Among them are Eleanor Dare and her child, Virginia. Jessabel Archarde and her friends offer to guide them part-way, but danger lurks at every turn as they venture into unknown Cherokee lands. As they move deeper into the wilderness, renegade Spanish soldiers and hostile Neusiok threaten their journey, leaving Jess to wonder if she’ll ever return safely to Croatoan Island and her life with the Indians.The Lyon Saga, a series of five books covering 25 years, tells the story of these first colonists through the eyes of Jessabel Archarde. Her compelling story is skillfully interwoven with actual events of that time period as they happened, or might have happened, including roving Spanish soldiers, marauding Indians, diseases and other hardships. Action and adventure abound, and readers ages 12 and up will find themselves swept up in Jess’s eventful life. The Lyon Saga books are a fictional treat and a perfect complement to the study of America’s early colonial history.

Book Two of The Lyon Saga. Returning to Roanoke in 1588, a year after they left, the English colonists are dismayed to discover that their governor, John White, hasn’t returned with much- needed supplies. Back on Croatoan Island, Ananyas Dare and some others decide to head north to Chesapeake Bay, trying to find the colonists who split with their original group. When they meet with misfortune, Jess, Akaiyan and an Indian guide set out to search for them. But Spanish soldiers roam the unfamiliar territory, and Jess and Akaiyan are taken captive aboard a Spanish ship. Surrounded by danger, they must plan their escape against insurmountable odds.The Lyon Saga, a series of five books covering 25 years, tells the story of these first colonists through the eyes of Jessabel Archarde. Her compelling story is skillfully interwoven with actual events of that time period as they happened, or might have happened, including roving Spanish soldiers, marauding Indians, diseases and other hardships. Action and adventure abound, and readers ages 12 and up will find themselves swept up in Jess’s eventful life. The Lyon Saga books are a fictional treat and a perfect complement to the study of America’s early colonial history.

The sequel to Joachim's Magic, Joachim: The Heretic continues the story of Joachim Gans and his apprentice, Reis Courtney, upon their return to England. The 1585 exploration was considered a failure because no veins of copper were found. Joachim, Queen Elizabeth's Jewish metallurgist, is given a grant to process saltpeter. He goes to Bristol where he runs into trouble at a local inn. By denying Christ as the Son of God, he's considered a blasphemer and tried. Not knowing what to do with him, the judge sends him on to London to continue the trial by the Queen's Privy Council. They eventually free him and after a brief time in Neath, Wales, he returns to his native Bohemia, leaving Reis to work at the horse farm of a wealthy gentleman, carving out a new life for himself. "Superb historical fiction," says School Library Journal

Book Four of The Lyon Saga When Jessabel Archarde, her Indian husband and their friends are captured by pirates, all seems lost. Rescued by an English ship, they find themselves transported back to London. Jess seeks an audience with Queen Elizabeth I to ask for their release and that of Enrique, imprisoned in the Tower of London as an enemy of England. Jess finds Elizabeth unsympathetic to their plight and apparently unwilling to free her Spanish captive. But to her great surprise, the Queen arranges a secret meeting with Enrique. Dare they hope for more, including their freedom? The Lyon Saga, a series of five books covering 25 years, tells the story of these first colonists through the eyes of Jessabel Archarde. Her compelling story is skillfully interwoven with actual events of that time period as they happened, or might have happened, including roving Spanish soldiers, marauding Indians, diseases and other hardships. Action and adventure abound, and readers ages 12 and up will find themselves swept up in Jess’s eventful life. The Lyon Saga books are a fictional treat and a perfect complement to the study of America’s early colonial history.

Book Five of The Lyon Saga Twenty-five years have passed since Jessabel Archarde and her family sailed for the New World. It is now 1612 and Jess has sent her children from Croatoan Island north toward the Jamestown Colony. There, she hopes they will make new lives for themselves after a smallpox epidemic has ravaged their fair island home.What fate awaits Suzanne, William and George? Will Master Robert Ashbury fulfill his promise to offer them sanctuary? Or will his wife, Mistress Emma, denounce them as “half-breeds?” And what has happened to the English colonists back on Croatoan? What does the future hold in store for all of them? The Lyon Saga, a series of five books covering 25 years, tells the story of these first colonists through the eyes of Jessabel Archarde. Her compelling story is skillfully interwoven with actual events of that time period as they happened, or might have happened, including roving Spanish soldiers, marauding Indians, diseases and other hardships. Action and adventure abound, and readers ages 12 and up will find themselves swept up in Jess’s eventful life. The Lyon Saga books are a fictional treat and a perfect complement to the study of America’s early colonial history.

Reis and his master, the Jewish metallurgist Joachim Gans, return to England after the failed 1585 expedition. It was called "failed" because no large veins of copper were found. Once docked in Portsmouth, Reis hopes to accompany his master to London, to meet with Queen Elizabeth I. But Joachim takes a detour and returns him to his Uncle Allyn's farm in Surrey. Reis gets into trouble and it isn't until Joachim returns for him after a month that he is reprieved. After his meetings in London, Joachim finds himself on the road again with his young apprentice. In the bustling city of Bristol, Joachim plans to develop new ways to make saltpeter, a necessary item for the English Navy. But trouble begins when Joachim is confronted about his religious beliefs, denying Jesus Christ as the Son of God. He is taken to trial. The trial continues in London with Elizabeth's Privy Council. But the high offices are reluctant to condemn him, for they aren't sure what to do with a Jew. Joachim decides to return to his native land of Bohemia, leaving Reis working on the horse farm of a wealthy gentleman, building a new life for himself. Sequel to Joachim's Magic