Working-class Jude Fawley longs to be a scholar. But after scheming local girl Arabella Donn traps him in marriage, Jude finds his university dreams drifting away. When his wife abandons him, a window of opportunity opens, and Jude moves to Christminster to work as a stonemason-his eye still on his studies. Then he falls in love with the modern-minded Sue Bridehead, and his descent into scandal, tragedy, and ruin truly begins. Shunned by society and...

In the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains lies a small town with a big heart--and a chance to begin again . . . When Hannah Montgomery buys a lavender farm in Blue Hollow Falls with three friends, she's creating a life she never imagined--one she hopes will honor the memory of the sweet young son she tragically lost years ago. Standing on the porch of the sprawling farmhouse, looking out on row upon row of those lush purple plumes, Hannah is ready to...

"Anna May Jones is the daughter of a coal miner, but a sickly constitution has kept her confined to the house for most of her life. Hoping to improve her daughter's health-and lessen the burden on their family-Anna's mother sends her to live with her Aunt Jinny, a witchy-woman and an Elemental Master, in a holler outside of Ducktown. As she settles into her new life, Anna learns new skills at Aunt Jinny's side and discovers that she, too, has a gift...

Qudad is an ancient lime waterproofing plaster that has been used for several millennia in the Arabian Peninsula. In Yemen, where it most likely originated, it is found on religious and secular buildings and archaeological sites. Because of its elaborate and labor-intensive application (it takes a full year to set properly), this strong, resistant material has barely been in use for the past 30 years. As a consequence, very few masons know how to...

"Moriah Robertson, owner and caretaker of a Canadian fishing resort, can fix anything--except the broken lighthouse her family tended for over a century. Ben is one of the best stone masons in the world. He's the right man for the job and the right man for her. As Moriah and Ben fall in love, they discover that they share a terrifying past--a past that will have to be resolved before they can be together."--Back cover.

"Traces the life of a typical stonemason in medieval times from birth to death, including childhood, training, masonry jobs that were available, and retirement. Includes primary source quotes"--Provided by publisher.

"Moriah Robertson, owner and caretaker of a Canadian fishing resort, can fix anything--except the broken lighthouse her family tended for over a century. Ben is one of the best stonemasons in the world. He's the right man for the job and the right man for her. As Moriah and Ben fall in love, they discover that they share a terrifying past--a past that will have to be resolved before they can be together."