In the spring of 1914, two college friends, Thomas Tiggy McStuart and Hans von Gotha, one British and the other German, find themselves on opposite sides of the impending war. Tiggys dream of becoming a barrister and Hans plan to receive his doctorate are quickly fading. As Hans leaves for Germany after being conscripted, he realizes their friendship might never be the same. Tiggy, feeling compelled to defend the crown, joins the London Light Infantry where he excels as a sniper in World War I and is eventually captured by the Germans. Meanwhile, Hans completes express doctorate training and is sent to serve at a field hospital in France. The lives of the two friends reconnect in a way neither of them thought possible. Based on real-life events, Legends of the Black Orchid follows Tiggy and Hans through World War I and the start of World War II. It depicts how circumstances and the influences of the Black Orchid, a society formed by the royal families of Europe, bring them together as one, ultimately making them part of an exclusive intelligence unit that becomes the platform on which the British and American governments form a cooperative base for espionage.

Berliocchi (1953-1999), former lecturer in garden history at the University of Reggio Calabria, Italy, presents a lively history of orchids, including myths and legends, their uses from prehistory to modern times, patrons and hunters, arts and customs, the plants' habitat and structure, descriptions of the genera, and basic culture. Fine period color plates and b&w illustrations throughout. A translation from Italian of Il Fiore Degli Dei, L'Orchidea dal Mito Alla Storia, 1996, Nuovi Equilibri, Viterbo, Italy.Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.

When Jessalyn Hunter finds herself ruined, both socially and financially, she is forced to accept the help of her brother's best friend -- a man she's loved since childhood. Haunted by a tragic past, Ethan has spent his life evading emotional attachments. However, when his dying friend asks him to marry Jessalyn, he reluctantly agrees, fearing the weight of responsibility that comes with it. In a marriage born out of necessity, Jessalyn and Ethan embark on a journey where unexpected feelings blossom. As their hearts yearn for connection, the shadows of their past threaten to consume them. Will they find the strength to embrace love, or will the ghosts of their previous lives extinguish the flame? Join Lady Jessalyn and Ethan in this captivating historical romance as they navigate the delicate balance between duty, desire, and the redemptive power of true love. Will they defy the odds and forge a future together, or will their haunted pasts tear them apart?

After the death of Doctor Sylvian, two of the Black Orchids escape and travel to Arkham--to find out more information from Poison Ivy.

John Constantine enters the fray to help Batman and Zatanna with their mystical woes, but will he only tear the two further apart? In the final “Eternity” chapter, Christopher Freeman comes face to face with a brutal killer to help solve a decades-old murder...will he survive? Ace the Bat-Hound leads his posse of DC Super-Pets-Merton, Lil' Nutz the thieving squirrel, and Ursa the Russian bear-as they finally break free from the evil lab! But will they get very far without knowing where Batman is held captive?