Pirates have existed since men first traded at sea and, in the 18th century, two extraordinary women, MARY READ and ANNE BONNY, chose to reject their humdrum lives to seek daring pirating adventures and acquire wealth beyond their wildest dreams. They first meet on the pirate ship Revenge where a close friendship quickly develops. Both prove to be brave and fearsome fighters, accumulating large quantities of gold, silver and jewels. Eventually captured, tried and convicted for piracy, they...

ALA Booklist Editor's Choice 2003 listAction! is a family saga in which five decades of Hollywood history are embodied in the lives of three generations of a movie dynasty, with each generation reflecting the changing values of the motion-picture industry.AJ Jastrow, the producer at the center of this story, seeks to build a movie empire. Along the way he battles manipulative executives, power-crazed directors, drug-addicted actors, duplicitous age...

The Gamble is the fourth volume in the Ian Caxton Thriller series. Ian Caxton has committed to a major change in his career, but will the gamble prove a success? Fresh challenges face Ian and his colleagues as they attempt to unravel more mysteries in the art world.Are the paintings of 'Sir Edgar Brookfield' and 'Mademoiselle Chad' worth millions of pounds? Who's the famous artist hidden behind the signature, 'Madeleine B' and why does Ian think an identicalpainting, currently on display i...

The Decision is the third volume in the Ian Caxton Thriller series. A worrying letter from a dead colleague, a Gainsborough painting downgraded by the experts, a new partnership opportunity, an unexpected statement from his boss and his wife's announcement of her new ambitions. These are just some of the new challenges we see Ian Caxton having to grapple with in this latest instalment. What will Ian choose to do? What will the consequences be? Will he make a huge life-changing decision? In...

Ian Caxton is a senior manager at Sotheby's. After successful career moves to Sotheby's branches in New York and Hong Kong, Ian is now based in London and earmarked for the top position. However, following a chance meeting with Andrei, a very rich Russian art dealer based in Monaco, Ian suddenly reassesses all his plans and ambitions. Even his marriage is under threat. The Opportunity charts the tumultuous life and career of Ian Caxton as he navigates the underbelly of the art world, one o...

The Reprisal is the sixth volume in the Ian Caxton Thriller series. When Ian spots an opportunity to attain revenge on his nemesis Jonathan Northgate, he has no idea he'll be antagonising the police and become entangled with a dangerous Mafia-like organisation. Out of his depth and frustrated, Ian eventually realises his actions may now have dire consequences for both family and friends… but is his desperate response too late? In Antigua, Oscar is invited by a client to view an unusual pai...

The Result is the fifth volume in the Ian Caxton Thriller series. When Ian Caxton is offered a 'gift' of a painting worth £25 million he knows it comes with 'strings'... and he'll also be breaking the law. The result could be a fortune... or a long term in prison. Viktor sees a chance to help repatriate hidden paintings stolen by the Nazis during the Second World War, but could his honest intentions bring him into conflict with Ian? Emma is close to unravelling the history of her 'Mademois...

The art world is full of pitfalls, mysteries and risk. It is a place where paintings can be bought and sold for millions of pounds. Fortunes can be made... and lost. For those whose ambition is to accumulate wealth beyond their wildest dreams, expert knowledge, confidence, bravery and deep pockets are certainly needed. Ian Caxton is being tested by fake paintings, a financial gamble on the artwork of a black slave, his wife's life-changing news and a series of mysterious emails that sugges...

What do you do when your oldest friend, Steve McQueen, pulls out his Smith & Wesson and blows your defenseless dining-room chair to smithereens? Or when your hottest client, sex goddess Romy Schneider, demands you leave your wife for her? Those are just a couple of the dilemmas faced by AJ Jastrow, the fictional protagonist of Action!, Robert Cort’s page-turning saga about a legendary Hollywood family.When we first meet AJ in 1948, a few weeks shy of his t...

"Turns about Town" by Robert Cortes Holliday is a captivating exploration of urban life and the intricate dynamics of community. The narrative weaves together the experiences of various characters, each representing different facets of city living. Through vivid descriptions and engaging dialogue, Holliday paints a picture of the bustling streets, the hidden corners, and the vibrant interactions that define a town. The book invites readers to reflect on their own experiences within urban s...

In "Walking-Stick Papers," Robert Cortes Holliday presents a collection of insightful essays interwoven with personal narratives that reflect his experiences as a connoisseur of life's subtleties. Emphasizing the significance of the seemingly mundane, Holliday's literary style combines eloquent prose with keen observational humor, evoking a sense of nostalgia that resonates with readers. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century America, the book mirrors the era's burgeoning fascinati...

"Peeps at People" by Robert Cortes Holliday is a captivating exploration of human nature and social interactions. Through a series of insightful essays, Holliday delves into the complexities of relationships, examining how individuals connect, communicate, and sometimes clash. His keen observations and witty prose invite readers to reflect on their own experiences with others, making the book both relatable and thought-provoking. The work stands out for its ability to blend humor with seri...