Justine Davis Randers-Pehrson Libri

German moderates and radicals were ill-prepared to function as a unit, carrying through their revolution of 1848 in order to produce a united constitution-based nation. Their Frankfurt Parlament has been unfairly blamed for the flasco. Failure was rooted in the socioeconomic situation of the early nineteenth century, on the verge of the Industrial Age. Vestiges of the guild system, along with rigid class structure, official surveillance, and inappropriate education all contributed to the leaders' incomprehension of principles of political accommodation. The radicals lacked the basis of effective labor organization. German unity was threatened by chauvinism and by Austria's intervention. Hostility of various factions opened the way to the conservatives, whose vindictiveness caused many a Forty-Eighter to seek a new life in the United States.

The narrative explores the contrasting perspectives of Colonel Erbe's daughters on women's roles in society. Eldest daughter Dickey embraces feminism, while Petra, a reluctant cartographer, resists the idea of being a career woman. The youngest, Agatha, faces the challenge of self-sufficiency after becoming a widow. Their lives intertwine with Kurt Steiner, a veteran and friend of their father, who navigates his own struggles while supporting the sisters, becoming a significant figure in their journeys and personal growth.

The narrative explores the author's evolving perspective on the tumultuous changes of the Twentieth Century, shaped by her experiences as an Army daughter. Following her father's death in 1922, she navigated life in Washington DC with her widowed mother, interspersed with college years both in the US and abroad. This backdrop highlights the personal and historical transformations she witnessed throughout her life.

A military defender of the Roman Empire, Audax faces a series of personal tragedies that lead him to seek refuge among the Visigoths. Under the protection of King Theodoric, he navigates a new life filled with complex responsibilities and alliances, encountering historical figures like Germanus of Auxerre and Vortigern. His journey culminates in a pivotal battle against Attila the Hun, where Romans and barbarians unite to defend their land, showcasing themes of loyalty, identity, and the shifting nature of power.

The narrator, Andac, a freeborn Roman citizen of mixed heritage, feels an affinity for outsiders and shares the story of Natalia, a wealthy Roman matron who chooses to exile herself from her aristocratic roots. Inspired by her ascetic grandmother, she seeks to renounce her wealth and live in poverty, all while attempting to persuade her husband Valerian to embrace a life of chastity. This narrative explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the struggle between social status and personal conviction.

Exploring the theme of honesty, the narrative delves into personal relationships, political life, and church dynamics set against the backdrop of Washington D.C. during the Depression and the pre-war Thirties. The story reveals the complexities and challenges of maintaining integrity in a time of societal upheaval, highlighting the intersections of personal and public morality.

A series of kidnappings of Amish teenage girls hits too close to home for FBI agent Emma Colton. The dark violence of her world has touched the simple Amish community neighboring her hometown, and she's determined to make things right. Unfortunately, a forbidden attraction to Paradise Ridge's most eligible widower is a major step toward wrong. Carpenter Caleb Troyer doesn't expect to love again, especially an Englisher with her own haunted secrets. Protecting Emma is second nature as she fights to restore the peace in his home, and in his heart. But one false move could destroy everything. The closer she comes to finding his sister, the closer danger comes to finding them.