The Boy Of The Bells

Carly Simon follows the success of her first book for children, Amy the Dancing Bear, with an enchanting Christmas story. Writing for children has kept alive for her the magic years when her own children were younger, and she has dedicated this book to her son Ben. The Boy of the Bells is set in a small village in the north called Noel, the first stop on Santa's voyage at Christmas. Ben and his sister Miranda live with their grandfather, but for a year now Miranda has been unable to speak, and nobody knows why. Ben and Grandfather are in despair, and long to hear her voice again. On Christmas Eve, when Grandfather asks Ben to climb the squeaky stairs of the village bell tower to ring the bells to welcome in each hour of Christmas, Ben thinks of a plan to help his sister. At 11 o'clock, he rings the bells twelve times to summon Santa an hour early, hoping to speak to him. Will Santa come? Will he be able to help Miranda? Magical and inspiring, with a special message for children, Carly Simon's Christmas tale will delight young readers. Margot Datz perfectly captures the different moods of the tale with her vibrant illustrations. This colourful book will make an ideal gift at Christmas-time.

Dazzling, enchanting and epic, The Bells is the confession of a thief, kidnapper and unlikely lover — a boy with the voice of an angel whose exquisite sense of hearing becomes both his life's tragic curse and its greatest blessing. Moses Froben was born in a belfry high in the Swiss Alps, the bastard son of a deaf-mute woman banished to the church tower to ring each day the Loudest and Most Beautiful Bells in the land. His life is simple but he is content, until the day his father recognizes Moses's singular sense of hearing and its power to expose his sins. Cast into the world with only his ears to protect and guide him, Moses finds refuge in the choir of the great Abbey of St. Gall and becomes its star singer, only to endure the horrifying act of castration meant to preserve his angelic voice and turn him into a musico. In a letter to his son, Moses recounts his humble birth in eighteenth-century Switzerland and his life as a novice monk, and tells of the two noble friends — and a forbidden lover — whom he cherished during his chaotic years in Mozart's Vienna as apprentice to the great Gaetano Guadagni, and even as he ascended Europe's most celebrated stages as Lo Svizzero. But in this letter he will also reveal the astonishing secrets of his past and answer the question that has shadowed his fame: how did Moses Froben, world-renowned musico, come to raise a son who by all rights he could never have sired?

Sometimes dreams come true, whether you’re ready for them or not. Shane was only fourteen when found a photo of a boy his age and became obsessed with it. Now, thirteen years later, he has a chance encounter with a man who bears a striking resemblance. Already in a happy relationship, Shane must keep his fantasies in check while attempting to solve the mystery, but little does he realize just how many connections they share. The Boy at the Bottom of the Fountain is a heartwarming short story about love in its many forms, be they real or imagined.

"The Bells of San Juan" by Jackson Gregory is a 1919 fiction that takes place in a small California time. On the brink of change, lurking darkness and mystery hides beneath the surface. The Bells of San Juan are a symbol of hope, but will they ever get the chance to ring? Readers have been intrigued by this book for years and will continue to be for many more.

She didn’t trust him in her youth, so how can she depend on him now? Widowed a year, Ruby Roper must flee her Scotland home when she discovers her father-in-law plans to marry her off—and keep her only son. Running to her uncle finds her in an equally undesirable situation, surrounded by silent servants and mounting secrets. Very soon, it seems perhaps The Vynes isn’t the safe haven Ruby had hoped. After all, the last time she set foot on the estate, she’d lost something dear. This time, she could lose something a great deal more precious…unless she’s willing to put her trust in a man she’s not seen in years. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Short but packed a punch.” ~ Angela D Distinguished Rogues Series Book 1: Chills (Jack and Constance) Book 2: Broken (Giles and Lillian) Book 3: Charity (Oscar and Agatha) Book 4: An Accidental Affair (Merrick and Arabella) Book 5: Keepsake (Kit and Miranda) Book 6: An Improper Proposal (Martin and Iris) Book 7: Reason to Wed (Richard and Esme) Book 8: The Trouble with Love (Everett and Whitney) Book 9: Married by Moonlight (Gilbert and Anna) Book 10: Lord of Sin (Julian and Portia) Book 11: The Duke’s Heart (Sinclair and Kitty) Book 12: Romancing the Earl (Price and Lenore) Book 13: One Enchanted Christmas (Otis and Margaret) Book 14: Desire by Design (Alexander and Sylvia) Book 15: His Perfect Bride (Harry and Ophelia) Book 16: Pleasures of the Night (Teddy and Eugenia) Book 17: Silver Bells (Hector and Ruby) Note: This story was previously published in the Mistletoe and Mayhem anthology.

A musical scholar is challenged to find and explore an area different from his colleagues. During the summer of 1972, Dr. Otto Henry, a musicologist in his third year at East Carolina University, accepts an invitation on the spur of the moment to accompany some old anthropologist friends from Tulane University, to the amazing little Mediterranean island of Malta. His friends have just completed a definitive study of Maltese folk music. However, he is encouraged to find an area of his own. And to stay out of the library! After a few false starts, Henry accidently discovers the significance of the ubiquitous church bells that ring from their stone towers all day long and part of the night. Bells that celebrate the time of day, the season, religious services, and occasions; bells that, with their individual tones, rhythms, and colors, musically mark off and enhance the times, the days, and the seasons of Maltese life. And then, as it turns out, their passing as well. Henrys daily field notes capture the wonder and majesty of these huge bronze implements, some of which have been melted and recast as cannons and then back into bells. Then there are those who ring the bells, a special lot, sometimes a little apart and distant from ordinary folk, but people who are always glad to help explain their lives and duties to a strange Inglese with a beard.

A memorable, atmospheric novel of love, friendship, and bonds that surpass all reason. --Kristina McMorris, New York Times best-selling author of SOLD ON A MONDAY. First cousins Eli Winfield and Delia Green grow up across the street from one another in Green Branch, South Carolina, in the 1960s and 70s. After Eli's tragic childhood accident the trajectory of their lives and of those connected to them changes. Shunned by his peers for his disfigurement, Eli struggles for acceptance as Delia devotes herself to defending him. Delia's vivid narrative voice presents Eli as a confident young man in adolescence, the visible damage to his body gone, but underneath hides indelible wounds that rule his impulses. And while Eli cherishes Delia more than anyone and attempts to protect her from her own troubles, he cares not for protecting himself. In this compelling coming of age story, two young people unite to guard each other in a world where love, hope, and connectedness ultimately triumph.

Dazzling, enchanting and epic, The Bells is the confession of a thief, kidnapper and unlikely lover — a boy with the voice of an angel whose exquisite sense of hearing becomes both his life's tragic curse and its greatest blessing. Moses Froben was born in a belfry high in the Swiss Alps, the bastard son of a deaf-mute woman banished to the church tower to ring each day the Loudest and Most Beautiful Bells in the land. His life is simple but he is content, until the day his father recognizes Moses's singular sense of hearing and its power to expose his sins. Cast into the world with only his ears to protect and guide him, Moses finds refuge in the choir of the great Abbey of St. Gall and becomes its star singer, only to endure the horrifying act of castration meant to preserve his angelic voice and turn him into a musico. In a letter to his son, Moses recounts his humble birth in eighteenth-century Switzerland and his life as a novice monk, and tells of the two noble friends — and a forbidden lover — whom he cherished during his chaotic years in Mozart's Vienna as apprentice to the great Gaetano Guadagni, and even as he ascended Europe's most celebrated stages as Lo Svizzero. But in this letter he will also reveal the astonishing secrets of his past and answer the question that has shadowed his fame: how did Moses Froben, world-renowned musico, come to raise a son who by all rights he could never have sired?