MADRIGAL: Book 1 of the Bel Cantos.
Padda: An girl from the White Wastes, where the life of an orphan like Padda is next to worthless. Will she escape the clutches of the cruel Mrs. Antipova, or live a short, pointless life and be buried in the desolate forests of Ruska?
Tremere: Growing up aboard the Goliath, the great floating reformatory/prison where the unwanted children of the city of Brick live and die. But something is stalking the streets: a foul and brutal murderer who kills without mercy. Who, or what, is killing the working women of Brick - and why does Tremere feel curiously drawn to find out?
Cynthenia: Young lover, weapon-maker, and rebellious teenager. Cyn's father has disappeared, and her mother is about to marry the man Cyn suspects had something to do with it. Worse yet, Cyn is in love with her future father-in-law's son. Is their love doomed?
Noor, a dancer in the Royal Court of the Al-Yauzhan Empire wants nothing more than to pay off her debts and lead a nice, simple life-but a chance encounter with the crown prince and his brother brings her into the dangerous world of court politics. As Noor and the princes investigate their uncle and cousin's possible treason, she grows closer to the crown prince, but in order to save the kingdom and the person she loves, Noor will have to risk everything...
A romantic adventure set in an imagined Arabic kingdom, THE DANCING GIRL is a story of court intrigues, romantic entanglements, and secret meetings as Noor and her best friend Amir try to help the princes they're falling for expose corrupt court officials with plans to seize the throne. Noor and Amir are close to having everything they've ever dreamed of...now all they need to do is survive.