Books with author elizabeth ring

Lavinia Warren never let her height—or the lack of it—prevent her from leading a full and adventurous life. Although she never grew more than three feet tall, she became a beloved teacher, a world traveler, an entertainer and the friend of many powerful figures. Lavinia was teaching at a local school when she heard about an opportunity to travel doing shows as a “human curiosity” on a Mississippi River boat. Eventually she met P. T. Barnum and worked at his American Museum. It was there that she met Charles Stratton, a little person known to the world as “Tom Thumb.” Their wedding, which took place on February 10, 1863, brought joy to a nation at war. President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln held a reception for the couple at the White House. The newlyweds later toured the United States and the world. Lavinia faced several tragedies but always found the strength to go on. Lavinia’s extraordinary story also provides a social history of one of the most devastating periods in American history. With additional material on Tom Thumb Weddings, readers' questions, time line, and notes and bibliography, this is sure to be a valuable title for adventurous middle-grade readers.

(RONE AWARD FINALIST) Sparks of attraction turn into flames of passion that no firefighter can extinguish! .Andrew Taylor is used to putting out fires, but is not used to the sparks igniting between him and single mother, Christina Goldstone. He's delivered her baby just weeks ago in an emergency situation, and has grown very fond of the child she's named after him. But Andrew isn't ready to settle down, even if it means giving up his inheritance. Plus, he would never even consider marrying Christina since his younger brother, Nate, has just married Christina's mother!Christina is a young widow with a three-week old baby and a new flower shop to run. She's moved to the little town of Sweetwater to start her life over, but no one told her it was going to be so hard. As she tries to juggle the responsibilities required of her, she's constantly watching the sexy firefighter, Andrew Taylor from across the town square as he trains his brothers to be volunteer firefighters for the small town. He's great with her baby, but when it comes to her, it's a different story. He's sworn to be an eternal bachelor, but has no qualms in telling her how to live her life or raise her child.Can a woman who is trying to plan her future, ignite the flames of passion in a man who only wants to live day to day concentrating on nothing but his job? Or will a burning desire for each other start a fire between them so hot that not even the most skilled of firefighters would dare try to put out the flame? (Sons of a preacher but far from saints, these men are nothing but trouble! Each book can be read as a stand alone.)

Zibby Lloyd’s food binges and purges have gone on for months. When her bulimia becomes life-threatening, she’s sent to Hope House, a residence for kids with serious medical problems. Zibby hates it there; as far as she’s concerned, her only problem is how to get out! When Zibby hears she’s getting a roommate, she’s furious. She’s doubly mad when Lauren Kent arrives. Lauren is a beautiful, perfect girl Zibby has known her whole life. Only now it looks as if Lauren isn’t so perfect: she’s anorexic. The two lifelong enemies are united at last—in a plan to escape from Hope House. But will the mission that brings them together as friends also endanger their lives?

When Maude Pichon runs away from provincial Brittany to Paris, her romantic dreams vanish as quickly as her savings. Desperate for work, she answers an unusual ad. The Durandeau Agency provides its clients with a unique service—the beauty foil. Hire a plain friend and become instantly more attractive. Monsieur Durandeau has made a fortune from wealthy socialites, and when the Countess Dubern needs a companion for her headstrong daughter, Isabelle, Maude is deemed the perfect adornment of plainness. Isabelle has no idea her new "friend" is the hired help, and Maude's very existence among the aristocracy hinges on her keeping the truth a secret. Yet the more she learns about Isabelle, the more her loyalty is tested. And the longer her deception continues, the more she has to lose. The paperback of Belle Epoque has brand new content that includes a translation and extended author's note about the short story by Emile Zola that inspired the book.A William C. Morris YA Debut Award FinalistA Junior Library Guild Selection“Both touching and fun, this is a story about many things—true friendship, real beauty, being caught between two worlds—and it will delight fans of historical fiction.”—Publisher’s Weekly“A refreshingly relevant and inspiring historical venture.”—Kirkus Reviews“A compelling story about friendship, the complexity of beauty, and self-discovery…full of strong female characters.”—School Library Journal“With resonant period detail, elegant narration, and a layered exploration of class and friendship, this provocative novel is rife with satisfaction.”—Booklist “Much to offer a contemporary YA audience…flirtation and match-making to tantalize romance fans…prime book-club fare.”—The Bulletin "This delectable Parisian tale left me sighting with sweet satisfaction. J'adore Belle Epoque!"-Sonya Sones, author of What My Mother Doesn't Know and To Be Perfectly Honest

From acclaimed Scientists in the Field author Elizabeth Rusch comes the electrifying story of the scientists and engineers who are working to transform ocean waves into electricity. Journey to the wave-battered coast of the Pacific Northwest to meet some of the engineers and scientists working to harness the punishing force of our oceans, one of nature’s powerful and renewable energy sources. With an array of amazing devices that cling to the bottom of the sea floor and surf on the crests of waves, these explorers are using a combination of science, imagination, and innovation to try to capture wave energy in the hopes of someday powering our lives in a cleaner, more sustainable way.

HOW MUCH IS A LIFE WORTH? WHEN THE WORLD DEMANDS AN ANSWER WE ALL SCRAMBLE TO FIND ONE.My name is Midnight Thunder. The town crazy person; the Demon Eyes girl. The girl whose existence rests on a curse that saves her from death yet sets her on a path to an inevitable end.I live in a world full of magic: spells, curses, enchantments, and everything in between. It would be a whimsical place, but, like anything, it's imperfect. Little by little, my own country has begun to fall apart beneath its own mistakes. The queen’s gone a little bit more than mad, our military has collapsed, and of course, the only way to break the deadly curse at the root of it all is to sacrifice... me.

A cowboy turned stuntman is no match for the rancher’s feisty daughter! Luke Tyler will do anything to earn money to buy back his ranch, and takes a job as a stuntman that lands him with the lead role in a low-budget western movie. Shooting on location at Bright Star Ranch, Luke meets the rancher’s feisty daughter who is more like one of the guys. Will his charms work on the girl when Luke’s cheap producer makes him seduce her as part of a business deal? Star Brighton is far from being a lady, but her tenacity and ability to herd cattle and run a ranch can match the skills of any of Luke's stunts.Star Brighton is no one’s fool, and knows that the movie crew filming on their land is not the answer to their problems, even if her mother thinks so. About to lose their ranch to back taxes, she’s been forced to accept the womanizer, Luke Tyler into her home. All she wants to do is punch him, but one smile from the handsome cowboy makes her heart beat faster. One kiss from him makes her feel as sexy as his Hollywood bombshell of a co-star. But are his advances toward her sincere or only part of a role he plays? Will the passion that grows between them become stronger, or will stunts that should stay out of the bedroom ruin a union between them?Two determined people will do anything to get what they want. But will they be willing to sacrifice their feelings for each other to get it?

Everyone has a secret. But in the war between the colonies and the king, keeping a secret is a dangerous thing. The first American spies belonged to secret societies and rebel organizations. The British collect information against these spies. Tension is mounting. Will you: Spy on the British in Boston at the start of the war? Gather information about George Washington for the British? Balance the dangerous life of a double agent? You Choose offers multiple perspectives on history, supporting Common Core reading standards and providing readers a front-row seat to the past.

In the early 1900s, adults hoped to find parents for homeless city children by sending them west on trains. Most of these children had no idea whether they would find kind adoptive families or be forced to work like slaves. Will you: • Head west after living on the streets of New York City? • Search for a home for you and your three younger siblings? • Try to care for yourself and your baby sister on your own?