Books published by publisher Book View Cafe

Sherwood Smith's most popular young adult fantasy begins with Meliara and her brother vowing to free Remalna from an evil king. War is tougher than it seemed. When Meliara is caught by the enemy commander, the elegant Marquis of Shevraeth, it's escape or die. Afterward, Meliara faces a tougher challenge: the battlefield is no longer mud and steel, but palaces, the weapons manners and fans. Toughest of all is courtship, when the one who catches her heart is her personal enemy—the new king. This beloved romantic fantasy has been in continuous print for over twenty years. The definitive edition is corrected, with additional material in six much-requested inserts from the hero’s point of view.

Rhis is sixteen, romantic, a princess of the tiny kingdom of Nym.Nothing ever happens in Nym, until she receives an invitation to a celebration for Prince Lios of Vesarja, the largest kingdom around.Lios is as handsome as Rhis hoped, and she falls instantly in love, just like in her favorite songs. But life isn't like the songs--none of her friends are happy, and then there is the Perfect Princess, Iardith, who keeps occupying Lios's time.Rhis does her best to fix things for her friends, as she pursues her romantic ideal . . . and then the Perfect Princess is abducted.Of course Rhis must go to the rescue . . . the princes right behind.This rollicking romantic fantasy takes place in the same world as the Wren Books, and Lhind the Thief.

For the first time, all the award-winning Wren Adventures in one ebook format.All her life Wren has hoped for an adventure. Now she has one – with a kidnapped princess, a handsome prince, and a magician. What does it matter if the princess is only Tess, her best friend from the orphanage; if the prince is a youngest son with no chance of becoming king; and the magician is an apprentice? Wren finds herself up against some shape-changing magic that may end her life as a human forever!In subsequent adventures, as Wren and her three friends grow in age and responsibilities, the rising stakes test their loyalty, skills, and their friendship, until they reach the age when friendship sometimes becomes something more.Now, for the first time, all four of Wren’s adventures in one ebook format. Includes WREN TO THE RESCUE, WREN’S QUEST, WREN’S WAR, and WREN JOURNEYMAGE.

** New York Times bestseller **"Exceptionally funny and entertaining book" - RomonkoAnimals behaving badly, other people's misfortunes and the most bizarre true crime story ever. French Fried is the unfortunately true account of Chris Dolley's first eight months in France and has been described as 'A Year in Provence with Miss Marple and Gerald Durrell.'Just when Chris and Shelagh think nothing more could possibly go wrong, they discover that Chris's identity has been stolen and their life savings - all the money from their house sale in England that was going to finance their new life in France - had disappeared. A bank account had been opened in Chris's name in Spain to take the proceeds. Then they're abandoned by the police forces of four countries who all insist the crime belongs in someone else's jurisdiction. The French say it's an Irish crime as that's where the money was held. The Irish say it's French as that's where all the correspondence came from. The British say it's nothing to do with them even though forged British passports were used to open the bank account in Spain. And the Spanish are on holiday - and can't even think about investigating any bank account for at least four weeks. So Chris has to solve the crime himself. But unlike fictional detectives he has an 80 year-old mother-in-law and an excitable puppy who insist they come along if he's going anywhere interesting - like a stakeout. REVIEWS"This was a fantastic read. It had me laughing so much that I nearly got relegated to the sofa! Once I had started reading this book, I could not put it down, I was even quite happy to miss my favourite TV programmes!" - Bookmarked "When I downloaded this book this morning, I had every intention of putting it on my phone and reading it in dribs and drabs. And now I appear to have finished the book! The best thing about 'French Fried' is it's sense of humour; warm, self-deprecating, and very British. Literally laugh out loud in several places (I'm glad I'm the only one home!)." - Librarything "Chris Dolley's humour reminds me of James Herriot at times, with my husband shushing me in the middle of the night. I could not put this book down and enjoyed it immensely. The characters, especially Nan, were life-size." - Salammi"I can't think of anybody who wouldn't love this book! Well written, easy to read and laugh out loud funny!" - Brenda, Amazon

** Finalist for the 2012 WSFA Award **"A fun blend of P.G. Wodehouse, steampunk and a touch of Sherlock Holmes. Dolley is a master at capturing and blending all these elements. More than fascinating, this work is also rip-roaring fun!" - SF RevuWhat Ho, Automaton! chronicles the adventures of Reggie Worcester, gentleman consulting detective, and his automaton valet, Reeves."Dolley got me to laugh out loud near the end. Which, frankly, is VERY hard to do. Dolley's tone is spot on Wodehouse and the steampunk elements tie into both plot and silliness admirably." - Gail Carriger, author of SoullessReggie, an avid reader of detective fiction, knows two things about solving crime: One, the guilty party is always the person - and, occasionally, the orang-utan - one least suspects. And, two, a consulting detective's little grey cells require plenty of fish and frequent lubrication when confronted with a 'three cocktail problem.'Reeves needs all his steam-powered cunning and intellect to curb the young master's excessive flights of fancy. And prevent him from getting engaged.The book contains two stories set in an alternative 1903 where an augmented Queen Victoria is still on the throne and automata are a common sight below stairs.What Ho, Automaton! - a 32 page novelette about how the two met.Something Rummy This Way Comes - a 164 page novel chronicling their first case. When Reggie discovers that four debutantes have gone missing in the first month of The London Season and, for fear of scandal, none of the families have called the police, he feels compelled to investigate. With the help of Reeves's giant brain and extra helpings of fish, he conducts an investigation that only a detective of rare talent could possibly envisage.Mystery, Zeppelins, Aunts and Humour. A steam-powered Wodehouse pastiche.REVIEWS"I found myself snickering and snorting as I read, thinking the entire time 'this is pure awesome'"- Tiffany A. Harkleroad"A fun blend of P.G. Wodehouse, steampunk and a touch of Sherlock Holmes. Dolley is a master at capturing and blending all these elements. More than fascinating, this work is also rip-roaring fun! But where Dolley really excels is in capturing the atmosphere and humor of the Bertie and Jeeves stories. Any Wodehouse fan will want to grab a copy of this work, but even if you have never explored that world, What Ho, Automaton! is a fun and fascinating read. Highly recommended, take a spin in this steampunk hybrid and enjoy the ride!" - SF Revu"I enjoyed every page of this book. A steampunk novel that combines classic British Humor, tongue-in-cheek references to Sherlock Holmes and a cast of great characters. I don't think I've actually laughed out loud this much while reading a book in a very long time." - ErisAerie"Dolley's collection of Wodehousian steampunk is entertaining and often spot-on parody... Fans of Wodehouse will certainly appreciate Dolley's witty pastiche," - Publishers Weekly"I found myself laughing out loud at Reggie and the fabulous Reeves as they romped their way through various adventures. A homage to Wodehouse without being sycophantic, this is fantastic." - Sueo23

"...we are all Death’s pupils, we practitioners—students of the great healer."When magic broke free in my blood, I chose to follow our ancient family path and become a practitioner. I'm learning to heal, and to protect innocents. I dip into minds, stalk vampires, and set wards by the light of the moon. I can hear the children of the night calling.But there are other families...and other paths. Families with twisted ambitions and frightening powers. On the frontier, folk whisper that one clan is the most dangerous of all.Chief among those dark sorcerers is a man known as the Keeper of Souls.And now he wants to keep mine.*********REVIEWS:"With a clear, distinctive voice, Katharine Kimbriel invents and re-invents magic on America’s frontier"--Jane Yolen, the award-winning author of Briar Rose“…once in a very great while I find something I wish I’d read thirty years before it was ever published.…These books do not let you rest. Allie is constantly in heart-thumping danger, being tested by benevolent and evil forces, by her human teachers, by human enemies, and by adult-sized moral questions, though she begins at age eleven."—Sleeping Hedgehog"charming...unusual...delightful...definitely worth checking out" -- Locus Magazine"It is good to see this back--the Alfreda stories are one of the reasons YA is so dynamic today. ...Little House on the Prairie meets Harry Potter, with a dash of Stephen King."--Sherwood Smith, author of Crown Duel"This is one of the best historical dark fantasies I’ve ever read. ...If you’ve not read any of Katharine Eliska Kimbriel’s books yet, what’s stopping you?"--Shiny Book Review

Vidanric Renselaeus, Marquis of Shevraeth, is a courtly, well-mannered teen coached in the noble art of dueling. Growing up in a court that on the surface seems civilized under an increasingly despotic king, he is sent by his father to the infamous military academy in Marloven Hess. He expects to be reading theories about statecraft, but finds that he is going to learn about military command from the inside–and finally, what it really means to be king.In this prequel to CROWN DUEL, the reader learns what made the elegant Vidanric into the enigmatic Marquis of Shevraeth.

Lhind has been on the run all her life. Stealing what she needs, using magic for disguise, she never stays anywhere long. Lhind even has secrets from herself, for she has few memories, and those are troubling. But life is good until she gets caught by Rajanas the warrior-prince, Thianra the bard, and Hlanan the scribe. And that’s when adventure begins, because someone very powerful wants them all dead.As they evade pursuit and work to uncover their enemies, Lhind struggles with the invisible bonds of friendship and trust, while Hlanan begins uncovering her secrets one by one.This romantic fantasy adventure will appeal to fans of A POSSE OF PRINCESSES.

Visit an American West that never was, but could have been.A woman in search of her fate, a people looking for a new place to call home, a young girl about to become more than she could ever dream, a magical creature trapped between What Is and what Will Be... These stories and more welcome you to the Territory, where little is as it seems and everything is what we make of it.Praise for the world of The Devil's West:"...Skillfully plays with western folklore and history, infusing them with ambiguity and subtle strangeness to deliver a memorable adventure out on the untamed frontier. ” – Publishers Weekly“Gilman is magic in that junction point between the real and the imaginary.” – NPR Books“Her cocktail of Western folklore, Native American mythos, and known history are seamless, and will be a particular treat to fans of the other master of that kind of mashup, Neil Gaiman.” – BarnesAndNoble.com

There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and prophecy.Kim never had to wonder what to major in at college. Her talent for divination made her future clear in more ways than one. But there are limits to what even a gifted seer can predict, and no card reading or prophetic dream can prepare Kim for what's to come during her junior year at Welton.Something has taken an interest in her friend Julian -- an unseen force neither of them can identify. What starts as a dark omen quickly turns dangerous, as Julian finds himself under attack. To defend him, Kim will need more than her strengths; she will have to call on a form of magic she has never been able to master. If she can't learn fast enough, she may lose her friend forever.Kim knows she isn't ready for this. But if she wants to save Julian -- and herself -- she'll have to prove her own prophecies wrong.

"When you have the Gift, your life is not your own."I was born to a family that harnessed the winds and could read futures in fire and water. Yet my mother kept her secrets.Then the werewolf came, sharing his madness.Now it's my turn to keep secrets....Descended from powerful magic-users, but ignorant of her heritage, young Alfreda Sorensson learns magic and wisdom from her extended family in an alternate early 1800s Michigan Territory.REVIEWS“…once in a very great while I find something I wish I'd read thirty years before it was ever published. … These books do not let you rest.”—Sleeping Hedgehog***"I am so glad that Katharine Eliska Kimbriel's Night Calls is getting out into the world again. If anything, I believe this story’s time has come—it’s the dark fantasy with an underlying glint of the numinous that I think so many readers are looking for and not finding." —Sherwood Smith, author of Crown Duel***"If you can imagine Little House on the Prairie with werewolves, vampires, and magic, you’ve got an idea what this dark fantasy novel is like. ...the strong characters, the matter-of-fact tone, and the strong sense of place make this something special." —Locus Magazine***"The underlying horror...builds slowly and inexorably to an exciting climax. Nordic superstitions and spirits combined with unusual ways to combat the supernatural make this a unique read for horror fans." —Rochelle M. Bilz, Voya***"It takes talent to build a world so rich and lush that the reader cannot imagine it ever being differently, but that is exactly what Ms. Kimbriel has done." —So Many Books, So Little Time***"So there’s the value of hard work. There’s the value of personal sacrifice. There’s the value of human dignity. ...And there’s a rousing action-adventure going on throughout that makes you forget about all of the above until the book is over and you start thinking about how wonderful it all was before you turn back to read it all over again." —Shiny Book Review***"...well-written, lovely character development, and a magic system that has real costs and dangers as well as rewards. I'm looking forward to reading more. Highly recommended." —Lis Carey's Library *** "Night Calls will leave you with that good feeling Wellman always gave--the feeling that though there may be dangers in the world, the powers of goodness and knowledge can overcome. Hopefully, Allie’s story has only begun." —Baryon 61***"Beautifully drawn, solid, compelling characters against a background so real and scary I left the lights on all night!" —P.N. Elrod, author of The Vampire Chronicles***"There are very few books I reread on a regular basis. NIGHT CALLS is one. When I read NIGHT CALLS I thought, first, that Robin McKinley's THE BLUE SWORD had at last found a proper shelf-mate...." —Laura Anne Gilman, Nebula Award Nominee for Flesh and Fire: the Vineart War***"To protect those she loves, a pragmatic young witch finds faith and magical lessons in the natural world--compelling, fantastic tale, beautifully, wondrously written!" —Patricia Rice, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Magic Series*** "Night Calls combines genuinely chilling occult elements with a believable, gritty context that both convinces and compels." —Ardath Mayhar, author of The World Ends in Hickory Hollow***"It has been a very great pleasure for me to have been introduced to your two books dealing with the Craft. The likeness of your people to those of Manly Wade Wellman is strong — though he dealt mainly with male characters and I found your women really more interesting and thoroughly believable. I have on order both volumes to send to a Wiccan friend who I am sure will find them absorbing reading. Do you intend to continue this series? I trust that is so. And I want to thank you very much for introducing me to your world."—An

Many generations ago, a mysterious cataclysm struck the world. Governments collapsed and people scattered, to rebuild where they could. A mutation, "the Change,” arose, granting some people unique powers. Though the area once called Los Angeles retains its cultural diversity, its technological marvels have faded into legend. "Las Anclas" now resembles a Wild West frontier town… where the Sheriff possesses superhuman strength, the doctor can warp time to heal his patients, and the distant ruins of an ancient city bristle with deadly crystalline trees that take their jewel-like colors from the clothes of the people they killed.Teenage prospector Ross Juarez’s best find ever – an ancient book he doesn’t know how to read – nearly costs him his life when a bounty hunter is set on him to kill him and steal the book. Ross barely makes it to Las Anclas, bringing with him a precious artifact, a power no one has ever had before, and a whole lot of trouble.On the final list for the YASLA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2014, named on the Rainbow List for 2016, and also nominated for the Young Hoosier List.