“Unwed and pregnant in 1752, but with a fertile imagination and a bit of luck, Agnes Trussel flees from Sussex to London, where she finds work as an assistant to a fireworks maker. In this unusual trade, Agnes blossoms, becoming adept and indispensable to her master. The Book of Fires is a vividly told story that animates the 18th century.” — Jennie Turner-Collins, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH

“It is the year 1383. Hildegard, a widow who has taken holy vows to preserve her independence, is asked by her abbess to undertake a mission to bring the Cross of Constantine to England. When a dead body is found en route and an innocent lad is accused of murder, Hildegard sets out to clear the boy’s name and save him from the gallows. Clark does a brilliant job of recreating Medieval Europe with a wealth of historical detail.” — Jennie Turner-Collins, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, OH