{"product_id":"a-crown-of-stars-isbn-9781496751362","title":"A Crown of Stars","description":"\u003cb\u003eA sumptuously vivid and poignant account of the \u003ci\u003eLusitania\u003c\/i\u003e’s fateful last days, drawn from the true story of an extraordinary young actress who survived the unthinkable—for fans of Marie Benedict, Louis Bayard, Fiona Davis, Kate Quinn, and HBO’s \u003ci\u003eThe Gilded Age\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn turn of the century England, the Jolivet family lives a charmed existence. Daughter of a wealthy vineyard owner and a French pianist, vivacious Marguerite, the eldest of three, loves spinning stories and entertaining her family’s well-connected friends. No one is surprised when she announces, at 18, that she intends to become an actress. Her sister, Inez, a virtuosa violinist, moves to London with her. Soon the two beauties are being celebrated in the highest social circles.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMarguerite takes the stage name Rita, and quickly draws the attention of legendary theater producer Charles Frohman. From the West End to Broadway, and then in the new medium of silent film, Rita is known for her “sultry eyes, her mystic smile,” and her star burns brighter with every role. While filming in Italy, she’s courted by a charismatic aristocrat and Rita feels on the verge of a life even better than her dreams. Inez, meanwhile, has already found love, and travels the world with her adored husband.\u003cbr\u003eYet soon, war is raging across Europe. Rita, in New York for the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s \u003ci\u003eThe Unafraid\u003c\/i\u003e, receives word from Inez that their brother is about to enlist. Hoping to see him before he departs, Rita books a ticket on the fastest steamer available: the \u003ci\u003eRMS Lusitania\u003c\/i\u003e. But the ship sails under a British flag, and the German government warns that all such vessels are fair game. Few believe Germany would risk attacking a ship carrying Americans, certainly not one as swift and imposing as the\u003ci\u003e Lusy\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOnce aboard, Rita is delighted to discover both Charles and her brother-in-law as fellow passengers.The days pass in a haze of parties and pleasurable pursuits, and the comforts of the luxury ocean liner are almost enough to calm Rita’s ripples of unease. But as the ship nears Liverpool, every assumption will be tested, and Rita, her family, and the world, will be changed forever by the voyage’s infamous and catastrophic end . . .\u003cb\u003e\u003cu\u003ePraise for Shana Abé:\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“This is an interesting examination of a lesser-known figure from the Gilded Age, one whose story extends beyond the confines of late-19th-century New York…This story of one woman’s ascent offers a fascinating look at the choices she made to become a Gilded Age titan.”\u003cb\u003e —\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eon \u003ci\u003eAn American Beauty\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Abé is an exquisite storyteller.\"\u003cb\u003e —Fiona Davis, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author \u003c\/b\u003eof \u003ci\u003eThe Magnolia Palace\u003c\/i\u003e on \u003ci\u003eAn American Beauty\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Historical fiction at its finest…with deep character perspective…engaging and intricate detail…passages [that] are brilliantly written and both gut-wrenching and heart-breaking to read.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eThe Florida Times-Union \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eon \u003ci\u003eThe Second Mrs. Astor\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“An unexpectedly affecting interpretation.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eThe Toronto Star \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eon \u003ci\u003eThe Second Mrs. Astor\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“An engaging tale. Abé richly describes the scenery. Everything is opulent, decadent, rich. We’re taken from the shores of Maine to bustling New York City, Egypt, and eventually, aboard the \u003ci\u003eTitanic\u003c\/i\u003e where their romance meets a tragic end in the icy waters. As the story crescendos to that fateful night, readers will remain captivated by both the imagery and the plot… This is more than another tale about the \u003ci\u003eTitanic\u003c\/i\u003e, it’s a love story, a drama, and a fine historical novel. Recommended.” \u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eHistorical Novels Review \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eon \u003ci\u003eThe Second Mrs. Astor\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"One of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. You’ll find yourself glued to every page, falling in love with this dazzling couple, and despite knowing better, hoping against hope that they avoid the tragedy that awaits them on the ill-fated \u003ci\u003eTitanic\u003c\/i\u003e. A gorgeous, phenomenal novel I won’t soon forget.” \u003cb\u003e—Ellen Marie Wiseman\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling Author of \u003ci\u003eThe Orphan Collector \u003c\/i\u003eon \u003ci\u003eThe Second Mrs. Astor\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A touching, compelling, and haunting love story that will delight fans of historical fiction and enthrall those of us for whom the \u003ci\u003eTitanic \u003c\/i\u003ewill always fascinate.” \u003cb\u003e—Hazel Gaynor\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eWhen We Were Young and Brave \u003c\/i\u003eon \u003ci\u003eThe Second Mrs. Astor\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A harrowing and yet ultimately hopeful tale of survival and courage, fate and love, and the ultimate question of who do we become after great loss. \u003ci\u003eThe Second Mrs. Astor\u003c\/i\u003e is historical fiction at its gripping and irresistible best.” \u003cb\u003e—Patti Callahan\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of\u003ci\u003e Surviving Savannah\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eBecoming Mrs. Lewis \u003c\/i\u003eon \u003ci\u003eThe Second Mrs. Astor\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003eShana Abé \u003c\/b\u003eis the award-winning, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times, Wall Street Journal\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including \u003ci\u003eThe Second Mrs. Astor \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eAn American Beauty.\u003c\/i\u003e She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern California, and currently lives in the mountains of Colorado. Visit her online at ShanaAbe.com.","brand":"Kensington","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48232878211301,"sku":"NP9781496751362","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781496751362.jpg?v=1767720395","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/a-crown-of-stars-isbn-9781496751362","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}