{"title":"Steve Boyles","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"news-of-the-world-dvd-0191329154144","title":"News of the World","description":"The highly awaited new novel from the \u003cem\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/em\u003e bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eThe German Midwife\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVenice, 1943\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe world is at war, and Stella Jilani is leading a double life. By day she works in the lion's den as a typist for the Reich; by night, she risks her life as a messenger for the Italian resistance. Against all odds, Stella must impart Nazi secrets, smuggle essential supplies and produce an underground newspaper on her beloved typewriter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut when German commander General Breugal becomes suspicious, it seems he will stop at nothing to find the mole, and Stella knows her future could be in jeopardy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLondon, 2017\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYears later, Luisa Belmont finds a mysterious old typewriter in her attic. Determined to find out who it belonged to, Luisa delves into the past and uncovers a story of fierce love, unimaginable sacrifice and, ultimately, the worst kind of betrayal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSet between German-occupied 1940s Venice and modern-day London, this is a fascinating tale of the bravery of everyday women in the darkest corners of WI, for readers of \u003cem\u003eThe Tattooist of Auschwitz\u003c\/em\u003e by Heather Morris and \u003cem\u003eThe Lost Girls of Paris\u003c\/em\u003e by Pam Jenoff.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePraise for \u003cem\u003eThe Secret Messenger\u003c\/em\u003e: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Intriguing, pacy and fascinating.' Suzanne Goldring, author of \u003cem\u003eMy Name is Eva\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Unique, emotional and life-affirming.' Melanie Hudson, author of \u003cem\u003eThe Last Letter from Juliet\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'A beautifully written novel, perfect for historical fiction lovers.' Soraya M. Lane, bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eThe Girls of Pearl Harbor\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Another fantastic page-turner.' LP Fergusson, author of \u003cem\u003eA Dangerous Act of Kindness\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'I felt I was walking alongside Stella over bridges and along canals at every heartstopping moment. Wonderful.' Molly Green, author of \u003cem\u003eAn Orphan's Wish\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'One of the stronger novels that pays homage to the women involved in the movements of resistance.' Reader review\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Refreshingly different. Even if you think you have read enough war books this year I strongly recommend you read this one.' Reader review\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'If you like WI stories, this is a must read.' Reader review\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Marvellous and highly recommended story on a little known aspect of WI.' Reader review\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49702252544273,"sku":"DVDB08QRYXT46VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":53419140382993,"sku":"CINB08QRYXT46G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/B08QRYXT46.jpg?v=1750970661"},{"product_id":"news-of-the-world-dvd-0191329148730","title":"News of The World","description":"Medieval scholars and cultural historians have recently turned their attention to the question of smells and what olfactory sensations reveal about society in general and holiness in particular. Sacred Scents in Early Christianity and Islam contributes to that conversation, explaining how early Christians and Muslims linked the sweet smell of sanctity with ideals of the body and sexuality; created boundaries and sacred space; and imagined their emerging communal identity. Most importantly, scent-itself transgressive and difficult to control-signaled transition and transformation between categories of meaning. Christian and Islamic authors distinguished their own fragrant ethical and theological ideals against the stench of oppositional heresy and moral depravity. Orthodox Christians ridiculed their 'stinking' Arian neighbors, and Muslims denounced the 'reeking' corruption of Umayyad and Abbasid decadence. Through the mouths of saints and prophets, patriarchal authors labeled perfumed women as existential threats to vulnerable men and consigned them to enclosed, private space for their protection as well as society's. At the same time, theologians praised both men and women who purified and transformed their bodies into aromatic offerings to God. Both Christian and Muslim pilgrims venerated sainted men and women with perfumed offerings at tombstones; indeed, Christians and Muslims often worshipped together, honoring common heroes such as Abraham, Moses, and Jonah. Sacred Scents begins by surveying aroma's quotidian functions in Roman and pre-Islamic cultural milieus within homes, temples, poetry, kitchens, and medicines. Existing scholarship tends to frame 'scent' as something available only to the wealthy or elite; however, perfumes, spices, and incense wafted through the lives of most early Christians and Muslims. It ends by examining both traditions' views of Paradise, identified as the archetypal Garden and source of all perfumes and sweet smells. Both Christian and Islamic texts explain Adam and Eve's profound grief at losing access to these heavenly aromas and celebrate God's mercy in allowing earthly remembrances. Sacred scent thus prompts humanity's grief for what was lost and the yearning for paradisiacal transformation still to come.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49706530275601,"sku":"DVDB08QRB3F1NVG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":53425188012305,"sku":"CINB08QRB3F1NG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":53481694593297,"sku":"CINB08QRB3F1NVG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/B08QRB3F1N.jpg?v=1750970660"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/collections\/author-books-by-steve-boyles.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}