Nicole Galland

This riveting second installment in Stephenson and company’s epic tale focuses on the aftermath of the world-shattering Mongolian invasion of 1241 and the difficult paths undertaken by its most resilient survivors. The Shield Brethren, an order of warrior monks, search for a way to overthrow the horde, even as the invaders take its members hostage. Forced to fight in the Mongols’ Circus of Swords, Haakon must prove his mettle or lose his life in the ring. His bravery may impress the enemy, but freedom remains a distant dream. Father Rodrigo receives a prophecy from God and believes it’s his mission to deliver the message to Rome. Though a peaceful man, he resigns himself to take up arms in the name of his Lord. Joining his fight to save Christendom are the hunter Ferenc, orphan Ocyrhoe, healer Raphael, and alchemist Yasper, each searching for his place in history. Deftly blending fact and fantasy, The Mongoliad: Book Two captures the indomitable will to survive against immense odds.

The first novel to be released in The Foreworld Saga, The Mongoliad: Book One, is an epic-within-an-epic, taking place in 13th century. In it, a small band of warriors and mystics raise their swords to save Europe from a bloodthirsty Mongol invasion. Inspired by their leader (an elder of an order of warrior monks), they embark on a perilous journey and uncover the history of hidden knowledge and conflict among powerful secret societies that had been shaping world events for millennia. But the saga reaches the modern world via a circuitous route. In the late 19th century, Sir Richard F. Burton, an expert on exotic languages and historical swordsmanship, is approached by a mysterious group of English martial arts aficionados about translating a collection of long-lost manuscripts. Burton dies before his work is finished, and his efforts were thought lost until recently rediscovered by a team of amateur archaeologists in the ruins of a mansion in Trieste, Italy. From this collection of arcana, the incredible tale of The Mongoliad was recreated. Full of high adventure, unforgettable characters, and unflinching battle scenes, The Mongoliad ignites a dangerous quest where willpower and blades are tested and the scope of world-building is redefined. A note on this edition: The Mongoliad began as a social media experiment, combining serial story-telling with a unique level of interaction between authors and audience during the creative process. Since its original iteration, The Mongoliad has been restructured, edited, and rewritten under the supervision of its authors to create a more cohesive reading experience and will be published as a trilogy of novels. This edition is the definitive edition and is the authors’ preferred text.

From critically acclaimed author Nicole Galland comes a vibrant and thought-provoking historical tale of love, political intrigue, and gender-swapping set in the theatre world of Elizabethan London. Alexander “Sander” Cooke is the most celebrated “boy player” in the Chamberlain’s Men, William Shakespeare’s theatre company. Indeed, Sander’s androgynous beauty and deft portrayal of female roles have made him the toast of London, and his companionship is sought by noblewomen and -men alike. And yet, now at the height of his fame, he teeters on the cusp of adulthood, his future uncertain. Often, he wishes he could stop time and remain a boy forever. Joan Buckler, Sander’s best friend, also has a dream. Though unschooled, she is whip-smart and fascinated by the snippets of natural philosophy to which she’s been exposed. And while she senses that Sander’s admiration for her is more than mere friendship, Joan’s true passion is knowledge, something that is nearly impossible for her to attain. As a woman, she has no place in the intellectual salons and cultural community of the day; only in disguise can she learn to her heart’s content. Joan’s covert intellectual endeavors, coupled with Sander’s theatrical triumphs, attract the attention of none other than Francis Bacon: natural philosopher and trusted adviser to Queen Elizabeth. It is through their connection with Bacon—one of the greatest minds of their time—that their lives will be changed forever as they become embroiled in an intricate game of political intrigue that threatens their very survival. Brimming with heart, curiosity, and rich historical detail, Boy offers an intimate glimpse of the moral complexities of a singular artistic era, and the roles we all choose to play on the world’s stage.

From critically acclaimed author Nicole Galland comes a vibrant and thought-provoking historical tale of love, political intrigue, and gender-swapping set in the theatre world of Elizabethan London. Alexander “Sander” Cooke is the most celebrated “boy player” in the Chamberlain’s Men, William Shakespeare’s theatre company. Indeed, Sander’s androgynous beauty and deft portrayal of female roles have made him the toast of London, and his companionship is sought by noblewomen and -men alike. And yet, now at the height of his fame, he teeters on the cusp of adulthood, his future uncertain. Often, he wishes he could stop time and remain a boy forever. Joan Buckler, Sander’s best friend, also has a dream. Though unschooled, she is whip-smart and fascinated by the snippets of natural philosophy to which she’s been exposed. And while she senses that Sander’s admiration for her is more than mere friendship, Joan’s true passion is knowledge, something that is nearly impossible for her to attain. As a woman, she has no place in the intellectual salons and cultural community of the day; only in disguise can she learn to her heart’s content. Joan’s covert intellectual endeavors, coupled with Sander’s theatrical triumphs, attract the attention of none other than Francis Bacon: natural philosopher and trusted adviser to Queen Elizabeth. It is through their connection with Bacon—one of the greatest minds of their time—that their lives will be changed forever as they become embroiled in an intricate game of political intrigue that threatens their very survival. Brimming with heart, curiosity, and rich historical detail, Boy offers an intimate glimpse of the moral complexities of a singular artistic era, and the roles we all choose to play on the world’s stage.

The fast-paced sequel to the near-future adventure The Rise and Fall of D. O. DO. In this history-bending adventure, the ragtag team of ex-D. O. D. O. agents must traverse time and space to stop the powerful Irish witch Gráinne from reversing the evolution of all modern technology. From Jacobean England to the ancient Roman Empire, Mel Stokes and her fellow outcasts must untangle the knotted threads of history while the diabolical Gráinne jumps from timeline to timeline, always staying one step ahead – or is it behind? Historical objects disappear, cities literally rise and fall, and nothing less than the fate of humanity is at stake. Will they be able to fix the past—in order to save the future?

In this brilliant sequel to The Rise and Fall of D. O. D. O.-an enthralling, history-bending adventure traversing time and space, fact and fiction, magic and science co-written with #1 New York Times bestselling author Neal Stephenson-a daring young time traveler must return to Jacobean England to save the modern world. This fast-paced sequel to the New York Times bestselling near-future adventure The Rise and Fall of D. O. DO. picks up where the original left off, as Tristan Lyons, Mel Stokes, and their fellow outcasts from the Department of Diachronic Operations (D. O. D. O.) fight to stop the powerful Irish witch Grainne from using time travel to reverse the evolution of all modern technology. Chief amongst Grainne's plots: to encrypt cataclysmic spells into Shakespeare's "cursed" play, Macbeth. When her fellow rogue agents fall victim to Grainne's schemes, Melisande Stokes is forced to send Tristan's untested, wayward sister Robin back in time to 1606 London, where Edmund Tilney, the king's Master of Revels, controls all staged performances in London. And now Grainne controls Tilney. While Robin poses as an apprentice in Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Mel travels to the ancient Roman Empire and, with the help of double-agent Chira in Renaissance Florence, untangles the knotted threads of history while the diabolical Grainne jumps from timeline to timeline, always staying frustratingly one stop ahead-or is it behind? Historical objects disappear, cities literally rise and fall, and nothing less than the fate of humanity is at stake. As Grainne sows chaos across time and space, the ragtag team of ex-D. O. D. O. agents must fix the past-in order to save the future. Critically acclaimed author Nicole Galland brings her deep knowledge of history and signature wit to this gripping romantic adventure.

The fast-paced sequel to the near-future adventure The Rise and Fall of D. O. DO.

In this brilliant sequel to The Rise and Fall of D. O. D. O.--an enthralling, history-bending adventure traversing time and space, fact and fiction, magic and science co-written with #1 New York Times bestselling author Neal Stephenson--a daring young time traveler must return to Jacobean England to save the modern world. This fast-paced sequel to the New York Times bestselling near-future adventure The Rise and Fall of D. O. D. O. picks up where the original left off, as Tristan Lyons, Mel Stokes, and their fellow outcasts from the Department of Diachronic Operations (D. O. D. O.) fight to stop the powerful Irish witch Gr inne from using time travel to reverse the evolution of all modern technology. Chief amongst Gr inne's plots: to encrypt cataclysmic spells into Shakespeare's "cursed" play, Macbeth. When her fellow rogue agents fall victim to Gr inne's schemes, Melisande Stokes is forced to send Tristan's untested, wayward sister Robin back in time to 1606 London, where Edmund Tilney, the king's Master of Revels, controls all staged performances in London. And now Gr inne controls Tilney. While Robin poses as an apprentice in Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Mel travels to the ancient Roman Empire and, with the help of double-agent Chira in Renaissance Florence, untangles the knotted threads of history while the diabolical Gr inne jumps from timeline to timeline, always staying frustratingly one stop ahead--or is it behind? Historical objects disappear, cities literally rise and fall, and nothing less than the fate of humanity is at stake. As Gr inne sows chaos across time and space, the ragtag team of ex-D. O. D. O. agents must fix the past--in order to save the future. Critically acclaimed author Nicole Galland brings her deep knowledge of history and signature wit to this gripping romantic adventure.

In this brilliant sequel to The Rise and Fall of D. O. D. O.--an enthralling, history-bending adventure traversing time and space, fact and fiction, magic and science co-written with #1 New York Times bestselling author Neal Stephenson--a daring young time traveler must return to Jacobean England to save the modern world. This fast-paced sequel to the New York Times bestselling near-future adventure The Rise and Fall of D. O. D. O. picks up where the original left off, as Tristan Lyons, Mel Stokes, and their fellow outcasts from the Department of Diachronic Operations (D. O. D. O.) fight to stop the powerful Irish witch Gr inne from using time travel to reverse the evolution of all modern technology. Chief amongst Gr inne's plots: to encrypt cataclysmic spells into Shakespeare's "cursed" play, Macbeth. When her fellow rogue agents fall victim to Gr inne's schemes, Melisande Stokes is forced to send Tristan's untested, wayward sister Robin back in time to 1606 London, where Edmund Tilney, the king's Master of Revels, controls all staged performances in London. And now Gr inne controls Tilney. While Robin poses as an apprentice in Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Mel travels to the ancient Roman Empire and, with the help of double-agent Chira in Renaissance Florence, untangles the knotted threads of history while the diabolical Gr inne jumps from timeline to timeline, always staying frustratingly one stop ahead--or is it behind? Historical objects disappear, cities literally rise and fall, and nothing less than the fate of humanity is at stake. As Gr inne sows chaos across time and space, the ragtag team of ex-D. O. D. O. agents must fix the past--in order to save the future. Critically acclaimed author Nicole Galland brings her deep knowledge of history and signature wit to this gripping romantic adventure.

You think you know how the world works? Think again.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Goodreads Choice Awards Semifinalist B&N Editor's Pick - Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of 2017 From bestselling author Neal Stephenson and critically acclaimed novelist Nicole Galland comes a captivating and complex near-future thriller combining history, science, magic, mystery, intrigue, and adventure that questions the very foundations of the modern world. When Melisande Stokes, an expert in linguistics and languages, accidently meets military intelligence operator Tristan Lyons in a hallway at Harvard University, it is the beginning of a chain of events that will alter their lives and human history itself. The young man from a shadowy government entity approaches Mel, a low-level faculty member, with an incredible offer. The only condition: she must swear herself to secrecy in return for the rather large sum of money. Tristan needs Mel to translate some very old documents, which, if authentic, are earth-shattering. They prove that magic actually existed and was practiced for centuries. But the arrival of the scientific revolution and the Age of Enlightenment weakened its power and endangered its practitioners. Magic stopped working altogether in 1851, at the time of the Great Exhibition at London's Crystal Palace--the world's fair celebrating the rise of industrial technology and commerce. Something about the modern world "jams" the "frequencies" used by magic, and it's up to Tristan to find out why. And so the Department of Diachronic Operations--D. O. D. O.--gets cracking on its real mission: to develop a device that can bring magic back, and send Diachronic Operatives back in time to keep it alive . . . and meddle with a little history at the same time. But while Tristan and his expanding operation master the science and build the technology, they overlook the mercurial--and treacherous--nature of the human heart. Written with the genius, complexity, and innovation that characterize all of Neal Stephenson's work and steeped with the down-to-earth warmth and humor of Nicole Galland's storytelling style, this exciting and vividly realized work of science fiction will make you believe in the impossible, and take you to places--and times--beyond imagining.

You think you know how the world works? Think again.

From the author of The Fool's Tale and I, Iago comes a disarmingly charming and warm-hearted "romcom" about a woman, her dog, and the man who has to prove that he is good enough for both of them. Sara Renault fired Rory O'Connor from his part-time job at a Boston art museum, and in response, Rory-an Irish actor secretly nursing a crush on his beautiful boss-threw caution to the wind, leaned over, and kissed her. Now Sara and Rory are madly in love. When Rory's visa runs out on the cusp of his big Hollywood break, Sara insists that he marry her to get a green card. In a matter of weeks they've gone from being friendly work colleagues to a live-in couple, and it's all grand ...except for Sara's dog, Cody, who had been a gift from Sara's sociopath ex-boyfriend. Sara's over-attachment to her dog is the only thing she and Rory fight about. When Rory scores both his green card and the lead role in an upcoming TV pilot, he and Sara (and Cody) prepare to move to Los Angeles. But just before their departure, Cody is kidnapped by Sara's ex-and it is entirely Rory's fault. Sara is furious and broken-hearted. Desperate to get back into Sara's good graces, Rory takes off and tracks Cody and the dog-napper to North Carolina. Can Rory rescue Cody and convince Sara that they belong together-with Cody-as a family? First they'll need to survive a madcap adventure that takes them all across the heartland of America. Stepdog is a refreshing and hilarious romantic comedy that asks: How far would you go for the one you love?

Everyone knows Shakespeare's classic tragedy of friendship and betrayal, love and jealousy: "Othello". But the real story lies deep in the culture and biases of Venice and the childhood of a young man named Iago who could not escape his status as runt of the litter in his family nor his distasteful tendencies toward honesty that made him a social outcast. In Nicole Galland's "I, Iago" we follow Iago from his childhood days playing pranks with young, naive Roderigo to falling in love with Emilia to betraying his closest friends and family, sealing his fate as one of the most notorious villains of all time.

In Venice, 1202, tens of thousands of crusaders set sail for Jerusalem to liberate the great city from Muslim rule. Among them is a British vagabond grudgingly taken under the wing of a pious knight who believes that the mission is truly blessed by God. Before leaving, the vagabond rescues a woman pretending to be an Arab princess, hoping that under the protection of his benefactor knight, he can smuggle the young woman back to the Holy Land. However, this 'holy' campaign sinks into tragic moral turpitude - first in an attack on the Adriatic port city of Zara, and ultimately in the fall of the seat of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople.

A lively, captivating novel, set in the medieval Holy Roman Empire, that combines the historical detail of Dorothy Dunnett's the "Lymond Chronicles" with the spellbinding narrative of "The Other Boleyn Girl". In the summer of 1199, Willem, a naive, poor young nobleman, is summoned to the magnificent court of Konrad, the Holy Roman Emperor, whose realm spans much of Europe. Willem's champion and waggish guide to courtly life is the irrepressible but mysterious minstrel Jouglet, a longtime admirer of Willem's sister Lienor. The model of chivalry, Willem wins great honors for his knightly prowess, but soon learns that gossip, secrets, and lies are what really fuel courtly life and that he himself is the unwitting pawn in an elaborate scheme.

This book targets readers of historical and literary fiction. It is perfect for reading groups. It has been reviewed in Welsh publications, on Welsh regional radio, and in pb round-ups in national and regional newspapers. "An entertaining saga adeptly weaving together political intrigue and deceit, love that both unifies and divides, loyalty that teeters on treason, and the desire for freedom" Wales, 1198, a time of treachery, passion, and uncertainty. King Maelgwyn of Cadwallon, known as "Noble," struggles to protect his small kingdom from foes outside and within his borders. Pressured into a marriage of political convenience, he takes as his bride the young, headstrong Isabel Mortimer, niece of his powerful English nemesis. Through strength of character, Isabel wins her husband's grudging respect, but finds the Welsh court backward and barbaric. Before long, however, Gwirion and Isabel's mutual animosity is abruptly transformed, and the king finds himself as threatened by loved ones as by the enemies who menace his crown.