Victoria Unbuttoned

A nuanced history of prostitution in Victoria told through newly uncovered stories of women who lived it. From the establishment of Fort Victoria, BC’s capital city has had a long history of prostitution. But little has been written on the lives of the women themselves—some of the most enterprising women in Victoria’s past. Instead, these women’s stories have been relegated to judgmental newspaper headlines. Now historian Linda J. Eversole takes a deeper look at their lives, from the mid-nineteenth century to the First World War and the Moral Reform movement. Story by story, from the fur trade, through confederation, waves of immigration, and attempts at reform and legislation, Eversole uncovers the histories of the women who made a living, and in some cases a fortune, from the world’s oldest profession. With accompanying maps and historical photos, new research, and the support of the descendants of some of her subjects, Eversole presents a nuanced, human series of portraits that enhances our understanding of this important strand of the city’s history.

A nuanced history of prostitution in Victoria told through newly uncovered stories of women who lived it. From the establishment of Fort Victoria, BC's capital city has had a long history of prostitution. But little has been written on the lives of the women themselves--some of the most enterprising women in Victoria's past. Instead, these women's stories have been relegated to judgmental newspaper headlines. Now historian Linda J. Eversole takes a deeper look at their lives, from the mid-nineteenth century to the First World War and the Moral Reform movement. Story by story, from the fur trade, through confederation, waves of immigration, and attempts at reform and legislation, Eversole uncovers the histories of the women who made a living, and in some cases a fortune, from the world's oldest profession. With accompanying maps and historical photos, new research, and the support of the descendants of some of her subjects, Eversole presents a nuanced, human series of portraits that enhances our understanding of this important strand of the city's history.

A wealthy madam who was known from San Francisco to Victoria in the early part of the 20th century, Stella Carroll was glamorous, worldly and determined to succeed. Her bordellos were fashionably decorated and patronized by the affluent and the powerful; she offered the best of everything--fine food and wine, cigars, entertainment and, of course, girls. The author, with the cooperation of Stella's family in California and New Mexico, has provided an intimate portrait of this infamous, unrepentant woman, her business and her tenuous relationships with double-dealing politicians and corrupt police, whose cooperation was essential to her success in the shadowy world she inhabited. Stella was a woman of contrasts. Her scandalous lifestyle and fiery temper often landed her in court on morals charges, yet she was devoted to and supportive of her family and gave generously to orphans and charities. This compelling non-fiction narrative is a fascinating look at Stella's life and at how things were in Victoria 100 years ago.

Read the USA Today bestseller from the author of Roses, a "sumptuous, full-bodied, and emotional" novel about five young spies embedded among the highest Nazi ranks in occupied Paris (Adriana Trigiani, NYT bestselling author of Tony's Wife). At the height of World War II, a handful of idealistic young Americans receive a mysterious letter from the government, asking them if they are willing to fight for their country. The men and women from very different backgrounds -- a Texan athlete with German roots, an upper-crust son of a French mother and a wealthy businessman, a dirt-poor Midwestern fly fisherman, an orphaned fashion designer, and a ravishingly beautiful female fencer -- all answer the call of duty, but each for a secret reason of her or his own. They bond immediately, in a group code-named Dragonfly. Thus begins a dramatic cat-and-mouse game, as the group seeks to stay under the radar until a fatal misstep leads to the capture and the firing-squad execution of one of their team. But is everything as it seems, or is this one more elaborate act of spycraft?

There's no place like Texas. And there's no one like a Texan! Twinkie Sue Carmichael and her mother own the Clown Motel in Mirage, Texas, known for its mysterious desert lights. She's also the mayor. Like everyone else in these parts, Twinkie's worried about the goings-on at nearby Fort Huacha, an abandoned military facility, which has been taken over by a group of men calling themselves the Brothers. When Cole Thornton comes to Mirage—with his own questions about the Brothers—Twinkie's hormones go on high alert. So does her internal alarm. Is this great-looking guy really what he seems? Cole and Twinkie fall in love (or certainly lust!), surrounded by an eccentric cast of characters, from her cohort of girlfriends to her sheriff ex-husband. From Cole's high-powered family to his former partner. Not to mention his missing sister, a group of young pregnant women and a houseful of retired hookers. But as the Brothers and assorted other bad guys learn, you don't mess with Texans! 83,000 words

Breathtaking photographs provide a rare glimpse into the private abodes of designers Sheila Bridges, Nina Campbell, Rachel Ashwell, Trish Foley, and fifteen others. Behind every stunning interior is a sure sense of personal vision; in these home designs we see exactly how the pros make their creative choices. From bungalows to city apartments, from a romantic garden house built in a weekend to artistic rooms that are always in progress, these remarkable interiors will provide endless inspiration and instruction. "Wouldn't it be fun to peek inside the homes of home decorators'...This book offers the expected beautiful photos but also a good dose of each designer's philosophy and decorating hints."--Los Angeles Times. "Because these women spend their lives advising people about design, the book is a virtual compendium of ideas on creating a certain look or style. There's a great deal about color, organization, storage solutions and managing details."--Baltimore Sun

The intensely revealing and entertaining account of a great royal secret and hidden love story - an unbuttoned history of Queen Victoria's loves and intrigues.