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Sunshine, secrets, and swoon-worthy stories—June's featured reads are your perfect summer escape.

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He doesn�t need a woman in his life; she knows he can�t live without her.


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A promise rekindled. A secret revealed. A second chance at the family they never had.


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A cowboy with a second chance. A waitress with a hidden gift. And a small town where love paints a brand-new beginning.


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She�s racing for a prize. He�s dodging romance. Together, they might just cross the finish line to love.


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She steals from the mob for justice. He�s the FBI agent who could take her down�or fall for her instead.


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He�s her only protection. She�s carrying his child. Together, they must outwit a killer before time runs out.


Hortense and the Shadow

Hortense and the Shadow, November 2018
by Natalia O'Hara, Lauren O'Hara

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Featuring: Hortense
32 pages
ISBN: 0316440795
EAN: 9780316440790
Kindle: B06XZY77JR
Hardcover / e-Book
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"Young Hortense thinks having a shadow spoils her play"

Fresh Fiction Review

Hortense and the Shadow
Natalia O'Hara, Lauren O'Hara

Reviewed by Clare O'Beara
Posted March 2, 2018

Childrens

I love this quirky, original, and very beautiful short fantasy for young readers, HORTENSE AND THE SHADOW. Set in a forested winter wonderland, illustrated by Lauren O'Hara, this captivating story begins with silliness and stubbornness and ends in bravery and adventure. Hortense loves playing outdoors and exploring beautiful buildings, but gets annoyed by seeing her shadow, and decides to get rid of it. But maybe a girl is better off to have a shadow! See what you think. Sisters Natalia and Lauren O'Hara live in London. Natalia the author is a script editor and Lauren is a set designer, and this venture is their first collaboration. The writing is a little unusual in phrasing, and the whole is based on tales from their Polish grandmother. I can't compliment the artwork highly enough for nature and Central European buildings. Little Hortense is brought to life full of movement and determination. In the shadow figure we can also take the lesson of a child becoming impatient with a younger sibling, so we can learn a lot. HORTENSE AND THE SHADOW would make a perfect present for readers from four to eight years. Adults will enjoy it too.

Learn more about Hortense and the Shadow

SUMMARY

A haunting, original fairy tale from two dazzling debut picture book talents, in the spirit of Neil Gaiman and Carson Ellis. Hortense is a kind and brave girl, but she is sad--even angry--that her shadow follows her everywhere she goes. She hates her shadow, and thinks her shadow must hate her too. But one cold, dark night, when bandits surprise her in the woods, Hortense discovers that her shadow is the very thing she needs most. This stunningly illustrated story stirs the soul with its compelling, subtle exploration of self-esteem, self-identity, and finding inner strength.


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