{"product_id":"a-crown-of-stars-paperback","title":"A Crown of Stars - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eShana Abe\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\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 \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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 . . .\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 352\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 x 8.1 x 5.5 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e February 24, 2026\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52001183301933,"sku":"9781496751362","price":20.15,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/3185\/6429\/files\/6PBJEYD_A49781496751362.webp?v=1776642631","url":"https:\/\/ishookbooks.com\/products\/a-crown-of-stars-paperback","provider":"iShook Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}