The Book of Lost Friends

In 1950s Jaipur, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi escapes an abusive marriage and arrives in the vibrant "pink city" alone, seeking independence. Becoming the most sought-after henna artist and confidante to wealthy women, she is privy to secrets she can never reveal, while carefully guarding her own.

Known for her unique designs and wise counsel, Lakshmi navigates the treacherous world of gossip and tradition, striving to build a life on her own terms. But her past catches up when her husband reappears, bringing with him a sister Lakshmi never knew she had, threatening to shatter the carefully constructed world she has created.

In a society on the cusp of change, Lakshmi must draw upon her talents and resilience to persevere, uplifting those around her as she confronts the challenges of family, love, and the enduring quest for self-discovery.

In the vibrant, glittering Shanghai of 1937, sisters Pearl and May live lives of carefree beauty and privilege. But their world shatters when their father gambles away their fortune and forces them to become brides to strangers from America to settle his debts. As Japanese bombs begin to fall on their beloved city, Pearl and May embark on a perilous journey that will lead them through war-torn China and across the Pacific to the shores of Los Angeles.

In the labyrinth of Chinatown, they face the harsh realities of immigration, discrimination, and arranged marriages, striving to build new lives while clinging to their identities as Shanghai girls. Yet, beneath the surface of their struggles lie petty jealousies, unspoken rivalries, and a devastating secret that will test the unbreakable bond between them. From the seduction of Hollywood to the suffocating weight of tradition and McCarthy-era paranoia, their path is fraught with impossible choices and heartbreaking sacrifices. At its core, this is a powerful story of sisterhood, resilience, and the enduring search for love and belonging against the backdrop of a tumultuous era.

In 1950s Tehran, amidst a city on the cusp of change, two young girls, Ellie and Homa, forge a bond that will define their lives. "The Lion Women of Tehran" follows their intertwined destinies through three turbulent decades of Iranian history, from the glittering reign of the Shah to the revolution that transforms their world forever.

As Ellie and Homa navigate family secrets, forbidden loves, and the constraints placed upon women in their society, their friendship becomes a sanctuary. They dream of a future where they can be independent, where their voices can be heard, and where they can roar like the lionesses they aspire to be. But as political unrest simmers beneath the surface of their seemingly modern city, their loyalty is tested, and they must confront difficult choices that could shatter their bond.

A sweeping saga of friendship, betrayal, and resilience, Marjan Kamali's "The Lion Women of Tehran" is a powerful portrait of a nation in upheaval and the extraordinary women who dare to fight for their place in it. Evoking the vibrant sights and sounds of Tehran, this unforgettable novel explores the complexities of female friendship, the enduring strength of the human spirit, and the sacrifices we make for love and country.

The American Revolution rages, threatening to tear apart what Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall have fought so hard to rebuild. It is 1779, and the family is finally reunited at Fraser's Ridge, a fragile sanctuary in the heart of the North Carolina backcountry. But even here, amidst the wild beauty, the fires of war burn close, dividing loyalties and bringing the conflict to their very doorstep.

Jamie knows the ground beneath his feet is shifting, just as Brianna and Roger grapple with the unsettling question of whether their leap from the 20th century truly offered safety, or simply traded one set of perils for another. As loyalties fracture and the specter of battle looms, the family must confront the escalating dangers of a new world order.

Meanwhile, young William Ransom seeks to understand his identity and forge his own path, while Lord John Grey navigates his own complex reconciliations and faces unforeseen threats. In this heart-wrenching chapter of the epic saga, as the Revolutionary War encroaches, Jamie and Claire find themselves with more to lose than ever before. They stand together, armed with steel and surgeon's blade, ready to face the storm.