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<rss xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" version="2.0"><channel><title>Robert Kimberly</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/robert-kimberly--6887341</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><atom:link href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/6887341/episodes/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><language>en</language><category>Fiction</category><copyright>Copyright 19th and 20th Century Fiction</copyright><image><url>https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg</url><title>Robert Kimberly</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/robert-kimberly--6887341</link></image><lastBuildDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 09:14:18 +0000</lastBuildDate><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:owner><itunes:name>19th and 20th Century Fiction</itunes:name><itunes:email>spreaker28@adfreesounds.com</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:category text="Fiction"/><itunes:category text="Society &amp; Culture"/><itunes:category text="Religion &amp; Spirituality"/><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><podcast:guid>3d80e86e-97d8-5ee7-90b9-ec0adac3c6fb</podcast:guid><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><item><title>Country House-John Galsworthy</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/country-house-john-galsworthy--74955552</link><description><![CDATA[Country House by John Galsworthy invites listeners into the intricacies of life within an English country estate, exploring themes of family, society, and the passage of time. As the characters navigate their relationships and the changing world around them, the story reveals the enduring nature of human connection and the complexities that arise from it. Galsworthy's keen observations on the social dynamics of his time remain relevant today, as they prompt reflection on our own familial ties and societal expectations. This audiobook offers a rich tapestry of emotion and insight, making it a timeless exploration of the human experience that resonates with listeners across generations.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74955552</guid><pubDate>Sun, 13 Sep 2026 09:01:33 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74955552/country_house_john_galsworthy.mp3" length="262503019" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Country House by John Galsworthy invites listeners into the intricacies of life within an English country estate, exploring themes of family, society, and the passage of time. As the characters navigate their relationships and the changing world...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Country House by John Galsworthy invites listeners into the intricacies of life within an English country estate, exploring themes of family, society, and the passage of time. As the characters navigate their relationships and the changing world around them, the story reveals the enduring nature of human connection and the complexities that arise from it. Galsworthy's keen observations on the social dynamics of his time remain relevant today, as they prompt reflection on our own familial ties and societal expectations. This audiobook offers a rich tapestry of emotion and insight, making it a timeless exploration of the human experience that resonates with listeners across generations.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>32780</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Harper's Young People, Vol. 01, Issue 31, June 1, 1880-Various</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/harper-s-young-people-vol-01-issue-31-june-1-1880-various--74949523</link><description><![CDATA["Harper's Young People, Vol. 01, Issue 31, June 1, 1880-Various" is a captivating collection that invites listeners into the world of youth during the late 19th century, showcasing a variety of stories and illustrations aimed at engaging young minds. This volume reflects the values and interests of its time, emphasizing themes of adventure, curiosity, and the importance of education, which continue to resonate with audiences today. The charm of this periodical lies in its ability to inspire imagination and foster a love for literature among children, making it a timeless treasure for both young listeners and nostalgic adults. Delve into a rich tapestry of youthful exploration and creativity that remains relevant across generations.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74949523</guid><pubDate>Sat, 12 Sep 2026 09:01:46 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74949523/harper_s_young_people_vol_01_issue_31_june_1_1880_various.mp3" length="56587586" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Harper's Young People, Vol. 01, Issue 31, June 1, 1880-Various" is a captivating collection that invites listeners into the world of youth during the late 19th century, showcasing a variety of stories and illustrations aimed at engaging young minds....</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Harper's Young People, Vol. 01, Issue 31, June 1, 1880-Various" is a captivating collection that invites listeners into the world of youth during the late 19th century, showcasing a variety of stories and illustrations aimed at engaging young minds. This volume reflects the values and interests of its time, emphasizing themes of adventure, curiosity, and the importance of education, which continue to resonate with audiences today. The charm of this periodical lies in its ability to inspire imagination and foster a love for literature among children, making it a timeless treasure for both young listeners and nostalgic adults. Delve into a rich tapestry of youthful exploration and creativity that remains relevant across generations.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>7066</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Green Carnation-Robert Smythe Hichens</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/green-carnation-robert-smythe-hichens--74944324</link><description><![CDATA["Green Carnation" by Robert Smythe Hichens explores themes of identity, societal norms, and the complexities of human relationships. This thought-provoking work delves into the intricacies of personal expression and the struggle against conformity, making it a timeless reflection on the human condition. Its exploration of individuality and the search for authenticity resonates powerfully in today's world, where self-discovery and acceptance remain paramount. Hichens' eloquent prose invites listeners to reflect on their own lives and the societal pressures that shape them, ensuring that the narrative's relevance endures across generations.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74944324</guid><pubDate>Sun, 06 Sep 2026 22:09:13 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74944324/green_carnation_robert_smythe_hichens.mp3" length="140753217" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Green Carnation" by Robert Smythe Hichens explores themes of identity, societal norms, and the complexities of human relationships. This thought-provoking work delves into the intricacies of personal expression and the struggle against conformity,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Green Carnation" by Robert Smythe Hichens explores themes of identity, societal norms, and the complexities of human relationships. This thought-provoking work delves into the intricacies of personal expression and the struggle against conformity, making it a timeless reflection on the human condition. Its exploration of individuality and the search for authenticity resonates powerfully in today's world, where self-discovery and acceptance remain paramount. Hichens' eloquent prose invites listeners to reflect on their own lives and the societal pressures that shape them, ensuring that the narrative's relevance endures across generations.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>17577</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Amoretti A sonnet sequence-Edmund Spenser</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/amoretti-a-sonnet-sequence-edmund-spenser--74446055</link><description><![CDATA["Amoretti," a sonnet sequence by Edmund Spenser, explores themes of love, devotion, and the complexities of courtship through a series of beautifully crafted poems. This work captures the essence of romantic longing and the trials of wooing, reflecting the timeless nature of love and its challenges. Spenser's eloquent language and intricate imagery invite listeners to immerse themselves in the emotional landscape of desire and commitment. The enduring appeal of "Amoretti" lies in its ability to resonate with contemporary audiences, reminding us of the universal experiences of love and the beauty found in poetic expression. This sonnet sequence stands as a testament to the power of language and the human heart.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74446055</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:05:41 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74446055/amoretti_a_sonnet_sequence_edmund_spenser.mp3" length="53763461" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Amoretti," a sonnet sequence by Edmund Spenser, explores themes of love, devotion, and the complexities of courtship through a series of beautifully crafted poems. This work captures the essence of romantic longing and the trials of wooing,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Amoretti," a sonnet sequence by Edmund Spenser, explores themes of love, devotion, and the complexities of courtship through a series of beautifully crafted poems. This work captures the essence of romantic longing and the trials of wooing, reflecting the timeless nature of love and its challenges. Spenser's eloquent language and intricate imagery invite listeners to immerse themselves in the emotional landscape of desire and commitment. The enduring appeal of "Amoretti" lies in its ability to resonate with contemporary audiences, reminding us of the universal experiences of love and the beauty found in poetic expression. This sonnet sequence stands as a testament to the power of language and the human heart.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>6713</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Bill &amp; Doreen Get Hitched (Selections from The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke)-C. J. Dennis</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/bill-doreen-get-hitched-selections-from-the-songs-of-a-sentimental-bloke-c-j-dennis--74398081</link><description><![CDATA["Bill & Doreen Get Hitched" is a delightful selection from C. J. Dennis's beloved work, "The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke." This charming piece captures the essence of love and commitment through the eyes of its endearing characters, Bill and Doreen, as they embark on their journey together. The themes of romance and the celebration of everyday life resonate powerfully, reminding listeners of the timeless nature of love and partnership. Dennis's lyrical storytelling and vivid imagery evoke a sense of nostalgia while remaining relevant in today's world, making this audiobook a heartwarming experience that will resonate with anyone who appreciates the beauty of connection and the joys of life shared with a loved one.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74398081</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:05:18 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74398081/bill_doreen_get_hitched_selections_from_the_songs_of_a_sentimental_bloke_c_j_dennis.mp3" length="24074417" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Bill &amp; Doreen Get Hitched" is a delightful selection from C. J. Dennis's beloved work, "The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke." This charming piece captures the essence of love and commitment through the eyes of its endearing characters, Bill and Doreen,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Bill & Doreen Get Hitched" is a delightful selection from C. J. Dennis's beloved work, "The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke." This charming piece captures the essence of love and commitment through the eyes of its endearing characters, Bill and Doreen, as they embark on their journey together. The themes of romance and the celebration of everyday life resonate powerfully, reminding listeners of the timeless nature of love and partnership. Dennis's lyrical storytelling and vivid imagery evoke a sense of nostalgia while remaining relevant in today's world, making this audiobook a heartwarming experience that will resonate with anyone who appreciates the beauty of connection and the joys of life shared with a loved one.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>3006</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Don Caesar de Bazan-Adolphe d'Ennery, Dumanoir</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/don-caesar-de-bazan-adolphe-d-ennery-dumanoir--74321534</link><description><![CDATA["Don Caesar de Bazan" by Adolphe d'Ennery and Dumanoir is a captivating tale that explores themes of honor, love, and redemption. Set against a backdrop of adventure and intrigue, the story follows the titular character, Don Caesar, as he navigates the complexities of his fate and societal expectations. This timeless narrative resonates with listeners today, reminding us of the enduring struggle between personal desires and the demands of duty. Its rich emotional depth and exploration of the human spirit make it a compelling listen for anyone seeking inspiration and reflection on the timeless nature of courage and sacrifice.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74321534</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:04:49 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74321534/20375_don_caesar_de_bazan_adolphe_d_ennery_dumanoir.mp3" length="46022079" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Don Caesar de Bazan" by Adolphe d'Ennery and Dumanoir is a captivating tale that explores themes of honor, love, and redemption. Set against a backdrop of adventure and intrigue, the story follows the titular character, Don Caesar, as he navigates...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Don Caesar de Bazan" by Adolphe d'Ennery and Dumanoir is a captivating tale that explores themes of honor, love, and redemption. Set against a backdrop of adventure and intrigue, the story follows the titular character, Don Caesar, as he navigates the complexities of his fate and societal expectations. This timeless narrative resonates with listeners today, reminding us of the enduring struggle between personal desires and the demands of duty. Its rich emotional depth and exploration of the human spirit make it a compelling listen for anyone seeking inspiration and reflection on the timeless nature of courage and sacrifice.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>5747</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>War and Peace, Book 01 1805-Leo Tolstoy</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/war-and-peace-book-01-1805-leo-tolstoy--74274539</link><description><![CDATA["War and Peace, Book 01 1805" by Leo Tolstoy is a monumental exploration of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars, weaving together themes of fate, free will, and the complexity of human relationships. This first volume sets the stage for an epic narrative that delves into the lives of aristocrats and commoners alike, capturing the tumultuous spirit of the era. Tolstoy’s profound insights into the nature of war and peace, as well as the intricacies of personal and historical change, make this work not only a cornerstone of literature but also a timeless reflection on the human condition.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74274539</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:06:31 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74274539/war_and_peace_book_01_1805_leo_tolstoy.mp3" length="159469802" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"War and Peace, Book 01 1805" by Leo Tolstoy is a monumental exploration of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars, weaving together themes of fate, free will, and the complexity of human relationships. This first volume sets the stage for an epic...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["War and Peace, Book 01 1805" by Leo Tolstoy is a monumental exploration of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars, weaving together themes of fate, free will, and the complexity of human relationships. This first volume sets the stage for an epic narrative that delves into the lives of aristocrats and commoners alike, capturing the tumultuous spirit of the era. Tolstoy’s profound insights into the nature of war and peace, as well as the intricacies of personal and historical change, make this work not only a cornerstone of literature but also a timeless reflection on the human condition.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>19914</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Finland and the Tsars, 1809-1899-Joseph R. Fisher</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/finland-and-the-tsars-1809-1899-joseph-r-fisher--74160405</link><description><![CDATA["Finland and the Tsars, 1809-1899" by Joseph R. Fisher explores the intricate relationship between Finland and the Russian Empire during a pivotal century. This period saw Finland's transition from a Swedish territory to an autonomous Grand Duchy under the Tsars, shaping its national identity and governance. Fisher's insightful narrative delves into the political, social, and cultural dynamics that influenced Finland's development, making it a compelling listen for those interested in history and the evolution of nations. The themes of autonomy, cultural identity, and the struggle for self-determination resonate today, reminding us of the enduring impact of historical relationships on contemporary society.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74160405</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:06:43 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74160405/finland_and_the_tsars_1809_1899_joseph_r_fisher.mp3" length="243906414" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Finland and the Tsars, 1809-1899" by Joseph R. Fisher explores the intricate relationship between Finland and the Russian Empire during a pivotal century. This period saw Finland's transition from a Swedish territory to an autonomous Grand Duchy...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Finland and the Tsars, 1809-1899" by Joseph R. Fisher explores the intricate relationship between Finland and the Russian Empire during a pivotal century. This period saw Finland's transition from a Swedish territory to an autonomous Grand Duchy under the Tsars, shaping its national identity and governance. Fisher's insightful narrative delves into the political, social, and cultural dynamics that influenced Finland's development, making it a compelling listen for those interested in history and the evolution of nations. The themes of autonomy, cultural identity, and the struggle for self-determination resonate today, reminding us of the enduring impact of historical relationships on contemporary society.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>30457</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Bruised Reed-Richard Sibbes</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/bruised-reed-richard-sibbes--74108964</link><description><![CDATA["Bruised Reed" by Richard Sibbes is a profound exploration of the compassionate nature of God and His unwavering support for the weary and broken-hearted. Sibbes eloquently articulates the theme of hope and healing for those who feel bruised by life's trials, emphasizing that even the weakest among us are cherished and nurtured by divine grace. This timeless message resonates deeply in today's world, where many grapple with feelings of inadequacy and despair. The work serves as a gentle reminder of the strength found in vulnerability and the importance of faith in overcoming adversity. Listening to "Bruised Reed" invites you to reflect on the enduring power of hope and the loving embrace of God in our lives.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74108964</guid><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:06:48 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74108964/bruised_reed_richard_sibbes.mp3" length="125219755" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Bruised Reed" by Richard Sibbes is a profound exploration of the compassionate nature of God and His unwavering support for the weary and broken-hearted. Sibbes eloquently articulates the theme of hope and healing for those who feel bruised by life's...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Bruised Reed" by Richard Sibbes is a profound exploration of the compassionate nature of God and His unwavering support for the weary and broken-hearted. Sibbes eloquently articulates the theme of hope and healing for those who feel bruised by life's trials, emphasizing that even the weakest among us are cherished and nurtured by divine grace. This timeless message resonates deeply in today's world, where many grapple with feelings of inadequacy and despair. The work serves as a gentle reminder of the strength found in vulnerability and the importance of faith in overcoming adversity. Listening to "Bruised Reed" invites you to reflect on the enduring power of hope and the loving embrace of God in our lives.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>15637</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>On the Good of Marriage-Saint Augustine of Hippo</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/on-the-good-of-marriage-saint-augustine-of-hippo--74063475</link><description><![CDATA["On the Good of Marriage" by Saint Augustine of Hippo explores the profound nature and significance of marriage, emphasizing its value as a sacred union. Augustine delves into the spiritual and moral dimensions of marital relationships, highlighting how they contribute to personal growth and communal harmony. This timeless work resonates today as it addresses the enduring themes of love, commitment, and the pursuit of virtue within the marital bond. Listeners will find Augustine's insights relevant as they navigate the complexities of relationships in a modern world, reminding us of the deep connections that can be forged through faith and shared values.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74063475</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:07:23 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74063475/on_the_good_of_marriage_saint_augustine_of_hippo.mp3" length="34963189" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"On the Good of Marriage" by Saint Augustine of Hippo explores the profound nature and significance of marriage, emphasizing its value as a sacred union. Augustine delves into the spiritual and moral dimensions of marital relationships, highlighting...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["On the Good of Marriage" by Saint Augustine of Hippo explores the profound nature and significance of marriage, emphasizing its value as a sacred union. Augustine delves into the spiritual and moral dimensions of marital relationships, highlighting how they contribute to personal growth and communal harmony. This timeless work resonates today as it addresses the enduring themes of love, commitment, and the pursuit of virtue within the marital bond. Listeners will find Augustine's insights relevant as they navigate the complexities of relationships in a modern world, reminding us of the deep connections that can be forged through faith and shared values.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>4366</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>St. George and St. Michael, Volume 1-George MacDonald</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/st-george-and-st-michael-volume-1-george-macdonald--74013107</link><description><![CDATA["St. George and St. Michael, Volume 1" by George MacDonald invites listeners into a rich tapestry of themes centered around faith, morality, and the struggle between good and evil. This timeless narrative explores the profound journey of its characters as they navigate the complexities of life and the human spirit. MacDonald's masterful storytelling not only captivates the imagination but also resonates with enduring questions about purpose and virtue that remain relevant today. The exploration of these universal themes makes this audiobook a compelling listen for anyone seeking inspiration and insight into the moral dilemmas we face in our own lives. Immerse yourself in this classic tale that continues to inspire generations.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74013107</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:07:36 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74013107/st_george_and_st_michael_volume_1_george_macdonald.mp3" length="150252784" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"St. George and St. Michael, Volume 1" by George MacDonald invites listeners into a rich tapestry of themes centered around faith, morality, and the struggle between good and evil. This timeless narrative explores the profound journey of its...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["St. George and St. Michael, Volume 1" by George MacDonald invites listeners into a rich tapestry of themes centered around faith, morality, and the struggle between good and evil. This timeless narrative explores the profound journey of its characters as they navigate the complexities of life and the human spirit. MacDonald's masterful storytelling not only captivates the imagination but also resonates with enduring questions about purpose and virtue that remain relevant today. The exploration of these universal themes makes this audiobook a compelling listen for anyone seeking inspiration and insight into the moral dilemmas we face in our own lives. Immerse yourself in this classic tale that continues to inspire generations.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>18763</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Hearts of Controversy-Alice Meynell</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/hearts-of-controversy-alice-meynell--73961038</link><description><![CDATA["Hearts of Controversy-Alice Meynell" delves into the life and works of the influential poet and essayist, Alice Meynell, exploring the complexities of her literary contributions and the controversies surrounding her views. This audiobook offers listeners a chance to engage with themes of faith, identity, and the role of women in literature, which resonate deeply in today's discussions about representation and voice. Meynell's insights into the human experience and her eloquent expression of belief continue to inspire and challenge audiences, making her work timeless. Engaging with her story allows for a richer understanding of the literary landscape and the enduring impact of a woman's perspective in a male-dominated field.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73961038</guid><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 09:07:01 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73961038/hearts_of_controversy_alice_meynell.mp3" length="67239576" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Hearts of Controversy-Alice Meynell" delves into the life and works of the influential poet and essayist, Alice Meynell, exploring the complexities of her literary contributions and the controversies surrounding her views. This audiobook offers...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Hearts of Controversy-Alice Meynell" delves into the life and works of the influential poet and essayist, Alice Meynell, exploring the complexities of her literary contributions and the controversies surrounding her views. This audiobook offers listeners a chance to engage with themes of faith, identity, and the role of women in literature, which resonate deeply in today's discussions about representation and voice. Meynell's insights into the human experience and her eloquent expression of belief continue to inspire and challenge audiences, making her work timeless. Engaging with her story allows for a richer understanding of the literary landscape and the enduring impact of a woman's perspective in a male-dominated field.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>8397</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Watsons (Dramatic Reading)-Jane Austen, L. Oulton</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/watsons-dramatic-reading-jane-austen-l-oulton--73907225</link><description><![CDATA["Watsons," a dramatic reading by Jane Austen and L. Oulton, invites listeners into a world of social intricacies and familial bonds. This unfinished novel explores themes of class, love, and the challenges faced by women in a society dictated by wealth and status. Austen's keen observations and wit shine through, making it a poignant reflection on the human experience that remains relevant today. The interplay of personal aspirations against societal expectations resonates with contemporary audiences, reminding us of the timeless nature of these struggles. Hearing "Watsons" offers a unique opportunity to engage with Austen's rich narrative style and her insightful commentary on life and relationships.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73907225</guid><pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 09:08:28 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73907225/watsons_dramatic_reading_jane_austen_l_oulton.mp3" length="112077080" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Watsons," a dramatic reading by Jane Austen and L. Oulton, invites listeners into a world of social intricacies and familial bonds. This unfinished novel explores themes of class, love, and the challenges faced by women in a society dictated by...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Watsons," a dramatic reading by Jane Austen and L. Oulton, invites listeners into a world of social intricacies and familial bonds. This unfinished novel explores themes of class, love, and the challenges faced by women in a society dictated by wealth and status. Austen's keen observations and wit shine through, making it a poignant reflection on the human experience that remains relevant today. The interplay of personal aspirations against societal expectations resonates with contemporary audiences, reminding us of the timeless nature of these struggles. Hearing "Watsons" offers a unique opportunity to engage with Austen's rich narrative style and her insightful commentary on life and relationships.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>13995</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Coffee Break Collection 005 - Love and Relationships-Various</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/coffee-break-collection-005-love-and-relationships-various--73811979</link><description><![CDATA[Coffee Break Collection 005 by Love and Relationships-Various offers a curated selection of insights and reflections on the intricate dynamics of love and relationships. This collection dives into the timeless themes of connection, intimacy, and the challenges that come with forging meaningful bonds. As listeners navigate their own relationships, the wisdom shared in this collection serves as a reminder of the universal experiences that shape our interactions with others. Perfect for those seeking a moment of contemplation or inspiration, this audiobook invites you to pause and reflect on the enduring nature of love and the lessons it imparts. Embrace the opportunity to enrich your understanding of relationships in today's fast-paced world.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73811979</guid><pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:04:06 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73811979/coffee_break_collection_005_love_and_relationships_various.mp3" length="85873747" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Coffee Break Collection 005 by Love and Relationships-Various offers a curated selection of insights and reflections on the intricate dynamics of love and relationships. This collection dives into the timeless themes of connection, intimacy, and the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Coffee Break Collection 005 by Love and Relationships-Various offers a curated selection of insights and reflections on the intricate dynamics of love and relationships. This collection dives into the timeless themes of connection, intimacy, and the challenges that come with forging meaningful bonds. As listeners navigate their own relationships, the wisdom shared in this collection serves as a reminder of the universal experiences that shape our interactions with others. Perfect for those seeking a moment of contemplation or inspiration, this audiobook invites you to pause and reflect on the enduring nature of love and the lessons it imparts. Embrace the opportunity to enrich your understanding of relationships in today's fast-paced world.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>10724</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Seed Thoughts-Joseph Caryl</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/seed-thoughts-joseph-caryl--73774605</link><description><![CDATA["Seed Thoughts" by Joseph Caryl offers a profound exploration of the seeds of thought that shape our understanding and beliefs. This work invites listeners to reflect on the foundational ideas that influence our lives, encouraging a deeper contemplation of faith and philosophy. The themes presented in Caryl's writing resonate powerfully today, as they challenge us to examine the roots of our convictions and the impact of our thoughts on our actions. Engaging with this text not only enriches our intellectual landscape but also serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of nurturing positive and transformative ideas in an ever-changing world.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73774605</guid><pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 09:04:00 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73774605/seed_thoughts_joseph_caryl.mp3" length="90598297" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Seed Thoughts" by Joseph Caryl offers a profound exploration of the seeds of thought that shape our understanding and beliefs. This work invites listeners to reflect on the foundational ideas that influence our lives, encouraging a deeper...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Seed Thoughts" by Joseph Caryl offers a profound exploration of the seeds of thought that shape our understanding and beliefs. This work invites listeners to reflect on the foundational ideas that influence our lives, encouraging a deeper contemplation of faith and philosophy. The themes presented in Caryl's writing resonate powerfully today, as they challenge us to examine the roots of our convictions and the impact of our thoughts on our actions. Engaging with this text not only enriches our intellectual landscape but also serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of nurturing positive and transformative ideas in an ever-changing world.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>11313</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Futility, Or the Wreck of the Titan-Morgan Robertson</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/futility-or-the-wreck-of-the-titan-morgan-robertson--73740292</link><description><![CDATA["Futility, Or the Wreck of the Titan-Morgan Robertson" is a compelling tale that explores the themes of hubris and the fragility of human endeavors. Through the tragic narrative of the Titan, a magnificent ship that meets a catastrophic fate, the story serves as a poignant reminder of the limits of human ambition and the unpredictability of fate. Its exploration of the consequences of overconfidence and the inevitability of disaster resonates deeply in today's world, where the pursuit of progress often blinds us to potential risks. This enduring narrative invites listeners to reflect on the balance between aspiration and caution, making it a timeless cautionary tale that remains relevant across generations.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73740292</guid><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:04:22 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73740292/futility_or_the_wreck_of_the_titan_morgan_robertson.mp3" length="73576290" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Futility, Or the Wreck of the Titan-Morgan Robertson" is a compelling tale that explores the themes of hubris and the fragility of human endeavors. Through the tragic narrative of the Titan, a magnificent ship that meets a catastrophic fate, the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Futility, Or the Wreck of the Titan-Morgan Robertson" is a compelling tale that explores the themes of hubris and the fragility of human endeavors. Through the tragic narrative of the Titan, a magnificent ship that meets a catastrophic fate, the story serves as a poignant reminder of the limits of human ambition and the unpredictability of fate. Its exploration of the consequences of overconfidence and the inevitability of disaster resonates deeply in today's world, where the pursuit of progress often blinds us to potential risks. This enduring narrative invites listeners to reflect on the balance between aspiration and caution, making it a timeless cautionary tale that remains relevant across generations.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>9188</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Morality of Marriage and Other Essays on the Status and Destiny of Woman-Mona Caird</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/morality-of-marriage-and-other-essays-on-the-status-and-destiny-of-woman-mona-caird--73714241</link><description><![CDATA["Morality of Marriage and Other Essays on the Status and Destiny of Woman" by Mona Caird delves into the complex issues surrounding marriage, women's roles, and their societal status during her time. Caird's essays challenge conventional views, advocating for a reexamination of women's rights and the moral implications of marriage. This thought-provoking work remains relevant today as it prompts listeners to reflect on ongoing conversations about gender equality and the evolving roles of women in society. By exploring these enduring themes, Caird’s insights encourage a deeper understanding of the historical context of women's issues and their implications for the future.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73714241</guid><pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 09:04:37 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73714241/morality_of_marriage_and_other_essays_on_the_status_and_destiny_of_woman_mona_caird.mp3" length="244859091" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Morality of Marriage and Other Essays on the Status and Destiny of Woman" by Mona Caird delves into the complex issues surrounding marriage, women's roles, and their societal status during her time. Caird's essays challenge conventional views,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Morality of Marriage and Other Essays on the Status and Destiny of Woman" by Mona Caird delves into the complex issues surrounding marriage, women's roles, and their societal status during her time. Caird's essays challenge conventional views, advocating for a reexamination of women's rights and the moral implications of marriage. This thought-provoking work remains relevant today as it prompts listeners to reflect on ongoing conversations about gender equality and the evolving roles of women in society. By exploring these enduring themes, Caird’s insights encourage a deeper understanding of the historical context of women's issues and their implications for the future.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>30577</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Country House-John Galsworthy</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/country-house-john-galsworthy--73692299</link><description><![CDATA["Country House" by John Galsworthy explores the intricate dynamics of life within a grand estate, delving into the complexities of family relationships and societal expectations. The narrative captures the essence of the human experience, highlighting themes of love, conflict, and the passage of time. Galsworthy's keen observations on the interplay between personal desires and social obligations resonate deeply, making this work a timeless reflection on the challenges of maintaining one's identity amidst external pressures. Listening to this audiobook offers a poignant reminder of the enduring nature of these themes, inviting listeners to reflect on their own lives and relationships in a contemporary context.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73692299</guid><pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 09:04:43 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73692299/country_house_john_galsworthy.mp3" length="262503019" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Country House" by John Galsworthy explores the intricate dynamics of life within a grand estate, delving into the complexities of family relationships and societal expectations. The narrative captures the essence of the human experience, highlighting...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Country House" by John Galsworthy explores the intricate dynamics of life within a grand estate, delving into the complexities of family relationships and societal expectations. The narrative captures the essence of the human experience, highlighting themes of love, conflict, and the passage of time. Galsworthy's keen observations on the interplay between personal desires and social obligations resonate deeply, making this work a timeless reflection on the challenges of maintaining one's identity amidst external pressures. Listening to this audiobook offers a poignant reminder of the enduring nature of these themes, inviting listeners to reflect on their own lives and relationships in a contemporary context.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>32780</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Battle of Life-Charles Dickens</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/battle-of-life-charles-dickens--73666083</link><description><![CDATA["Battle of Life" by Charles Dickens explores the enduring themes of love, sacrifice, and the struggles inherent in the human experience. Set against a backdrop of familial bonds and societal expectations, this tale delves into the complexities of relationships and the choices that define our lives. Dickens's insightful commentary on the human condition remains relevant today, reminding listeners of the timeless nature of our battles—both internal and external. The story invites reflection on how we navigate our own struggles and the importance of compassion and resilience in the face of adversity. Experience this classic work that continues to resonate with audiences, illuminating the path of life's challenges.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73666083</guid><pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 13:24:18 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73666083/battle_of_life_charles_dickens.mp3" length="100324998" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Battle of Life" by Charles Dickens explores the enduring themes of love, sacrifice, and the struggles inherent in the human experience. Set against a backdrop of familial bonds and societal expectations, this tale delves into the complexities of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Battle of Life" by Charles Dickens explores the enduring themes of love, sacrifice, and the struggles inherent in the human experience. Set against a backdrop of familial bonds and societal expectations, this tale delves into the complexities of relationships and the choices that define our lives. Dickens's insightful commentary on the human condition remains relevant today, reminding listeners of the timeless nature of our battles—both internal and external. The story invites reflection on how we navigate our own struggles and the importance of compassion and resilience in the face of adversity. Experience this classic work that continues to resonate with audiences, illuminating the path of life's challenges.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>12528</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Fuel of Fire-Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/fuel-of-fire-ellen-thorneycroft-fowler--73642907</link><description><![CDATA["Fuel of Fire" by Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler delves into the themes of passion, ambition, and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. This compelling narrative invites listeners to explore the depths of character and the choices that define our lives. The enduring nature of its themes—such as the struggle between personal desires and societal expectations—resonates deeply in today's world, where individuals continue to navigate their own ambitions amidst external pressures. Fowler's masterful storytelling and rich character development make this audiobook a timeless exploration of what it means to pursue one's true calling. It’s a poignant reminder that the fire within us can illuminate even the darkest paths.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73642907</guid><pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 23:57:21 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73642907/fuel_of_fire_ellen_thorneycroft_fowler.mp3" length="267335358" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Fuel of Fire" by Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler delves into the themes of passion, ambition, and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. This compelling narrative invites listeners to explore the depths of character and the choices that...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Fuel of Fire" by Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler delves into the themes of passion, ambition, and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. This compelling narrative invites listeners to explore the depths of character and the choices that define our lives. The enduring nature of its themes—such as the struggle between personal desires and societal expectations—resonates deeply in today's world, where individuals continue to navigate their own ambitions amidst external pressures. Fowler's masterful storytelling and rich character development make this audiobook a timeless exploration of what it means to pursue one's true calling. It’s a poignant reminder that the fire within us can illuminate even the darkest paths.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>33383</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>War and Peace, Book 01 1805-Leo Tolstoy</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/war-and-peace-book-01-1805-leo-tolstoy--73603419</link><description><![CDATA["War and Peace, Book 01 1805" by Leo Tolstoy delves into the complexities of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars, exploring themes of fate, free will, and the interconnectedness of individual lives amidst historical upheaval. This first volume sets the stage for a sweeping narrative that examines how personal and national destinies intertwine, making it a profound reflection on the human experience. The enduring relevance of its themes, such as the struggle for meaning in tumultuous times and the search for personal identity, resonates powerfully today. Tolstoy's masterful storytelling invites listeners to engage with the moral and philosophical questions that continue to shape our world.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73603419</guid><pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 08:02:18 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73603419/war_and_peace_book_01_1805_leo_tolstoy.mp3" length="159469802" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"War and Peace, Book 01 1805" by Leo Tolstoy delves into the complexities of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars, exploring themes of fate, free will, and the interconnectedness of individual lives amidst historical upheaval. This first volume...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["War and Peace, Book 01 1805" by Leo Tolstoy delves into the complexities of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars, exploring themes of fate, free will, and the interconnectedness of individual lives amidst historical upheaval. This first volume sets the stage for a sweeping narrative that examines how personal and national destinies intertwine, making it a profound reflection on the human experience. The enduring relevance of its themes, such as the struggle for meaning in tumultuous times and the search for personal identity, resonates powerfully today. Tolstoy's masterful storytelling invites listeners to engage with the moral and philosophical questions that continue to shape our world.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>19914</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Daughter of the Commandant-Alexander Pushkin</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/daughter-of-the-commandant-alexander-pushkin--73566443</link><description><![CDATA["Daughter of the Commandant" by Alexander Pushkin is a compelling tale that explores themes of loyalty, love, and the complexities of human relationships against a backdrop of conflict. Set during a tumultuous period, the narrative delves into the emotional struggles of its characters, highlighting the enduring nature of personal sacrifice and devotion. Pushkin's rich prose and deep characterizations invite listeners to reflect on the timeless challenges of navigating duty and desire. This classic work remains relevant today as it resonates with anyone who has ever grappled with the balance between personal aspirations and societal expectations, making it a must-listen for lovers of literature and history alike.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73566443</guid><pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:14:22 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73566443/daughter_of_the_commandant_alexander_pushkin.mp3" length="114317612" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Daughter of the Commandant" by Alexander Pushkin is a compelling tale that explores themes of loyalty, love, and the complexities of human relationships against a backdrop of conflict. Set during a tumultuous period, the narrative delves into the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Daughter of the Commandant" by Alexander Pushkin is a compelling tale that explores themes of loyalty, love, and the complexities of human relationships against a backdrop of conflict. Set during a tumultuous period, the narrative delves into the emotional struggles of its characters, highlighting the enduring nature of personal sacrifice and devotion. Pushkin's rich prose and deep characterizations invite listeners to reflect on the timeless challenges of navigating duty and desire. This classic work remains relevant today as it resonates with anyone who has ever grappled with the balance between personal aspirations and societal expectations, making it a must-listen for lovers of literature and history alike.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>14276</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Life of King Henry V (version 2)-William Shakespeare</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/life-of-king-henry-v-version-2-william-shakespeare--73528237</link><description><![CDATA["Life of King Henry V" by William Shakespeare presents a compelling exploration of leadership, honor, and the burdens of kingship through the journey of its titular character. The play delves into themes of war, diplomacy, and the complexities of human ambition, making it a timeless reflection on the nature of power and responsibility. Its portrayal of the struggles and triumphs faced by King Henry V resonates with contemporary audiences, reminding us of the enduring qualities of courage and resilience in the face of adversity. As we navigate our own challenges today, this classic work invites listeners to reflect on the qualities that define true leadership and the sacrifices that come with it.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73528237</guid><pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 02:00:55 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73528237/life_of_king_henry_v_version_2_william_shakespeare.mp3" length="93050223" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>"Life of King Henry V" by William Shakespeare presents a compelling exploration of leadership, honor, and the burdens of kingship through the journey of its titular character. The play delves into themes of war, diplomacy, and the complexities of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA["Life of King Henry V" by William Shakespeare presents a compelling exploration of leadership, honor, and the burdens of kingship through the journey of its titular character. The play delves into themes of war, diplomacy, and the complexities of human ambition, making it a timeless reflection on the nature of power and responsibility. Its portrayal of the struggles and triumphs faced by King Henry V resonates with contemporary audiences, reminding us of the enduring qualities of courage and resilience in the face of adversity. As we navigate our own challenges today, this classic work invites listeners to reflect on the qualities that define true leadership and the sacrifices that come with it.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>11619</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>048 - Chapter 48</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/048-chapter-48--70191988</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191988</guid><pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:00:15 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191988/048_chapter_48.mp3" length="6617453" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/7c90a622-0301-4cfc-a8dc-0e900f5a2842/7c90a622-0301-4cfc-a8dc-0e900f5a2842.srt" type="application/x-subrip" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/7c90a622-0301-4cfc-a8dc-0e900f5a2842/7c90a622-0301-4cfc-a8dc-0e900f5a2842.txt" type="text/plain" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/7c90a622-0301-4cfc-a8dc-0e900f5a2842/7c90a622-0301-4cfc-a8dc-0e900f5a2842.vtt" type="text/vtt" language="en"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>827</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>047 - Chapter 47</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/047-chapter-47--70191987</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191987</guid><pubDate>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 09:00:16 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191987/047_chapter_47.mp3" length="5955580" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/1faac6af-3358-481a-845c-9278c49a757f/1faac6af-3358-481a-845c-9278c49a757f.srt" type="application/x-subrip" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/1faac6af-3358-481a-845c-9278c49a757f/1faac6af-3358-481a-845c-9278c49a757f.txt" type="text/plain" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/1faac6af-3358-481a-845c-9278c49a757f/1faac6af-3358-481a-845c-9278c49a757f.vtt" type="text/vtt" language="en"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>744</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>046 - Chapter 46</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/046-chapter-46--70191986</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191986</guid><pubDate>Sat, 07 Mar 2026 10:00:14 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191986/046_chapter_46.mp3" length="3183413" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/00ef69ce-dfea-49db-93ad-55323f8743b9/00ef69ce-dfea-49db-93ad-55323f8743b9.srt" type="application/x-subrip" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/00ef69ce-dfea-49db-93ad-55323f8743b9/00ef69ce-dfea-49db-93ad-55323f8743b9.txt" type="text/plain" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/00ef69ce-dfea-49db-93ad-55323f8743b9/00ef69ce-dfea-49db-93ad-55323f8743b9.vtt" type="text/vtt" language="en"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>398</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>045 - Chapter 45</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/045-chapter-45--70191985</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191985</guid><pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 10:00:20 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191985/045_chapter_45.mp3" length="2225749" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/ccad98ab-4e39-4e49-afaf-1f50f28d5521/ccad98ab-4e39-4e49-afaf-1f50f28d5521.srt" type="application/x-subrip" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/ccad98ab-4e39-4e49-afaf-1f50f28d5521/ccad98ab-4e39-4e49-afaf-1f50f28d5521.txt" type="text/plain" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/ccad98ab-4e39-4e49-afaf-1f50f28d5521/ccad98ab-4e39-4e49-afaf-1f50f28d5521.vtt" type="text/vtt" language="en"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>278</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>044 - Chapter 44</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/044-chapter-44--70191983</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191983</guid><pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:00:17 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191983/044_chapter_44.mp3" length="6418724" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/5a8ad0fd-f0b4-4834-bc4a-571e0f9baf54/5a8ad0fd-f0b4-4834-bc4a-571e0f9baf54.srt" type="application/x-subrip" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/5a8ad0fd-f0b4-4834-bc4a-571e0f9baf54/5a8ad0fd-f0b4-4834-bc4a-571e0f9baf54.txt" type="text/plain" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/5a8ad0fd-f0b4-4834-bc4a-571e0f9baf54/5a8ad0fd-f0b4-4834-bc4a-571e0f9baf54.vtt" type="text/vtt" language="en"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>802</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>043 - Chapter 43</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/043-chapter-43--70191982</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191982</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 10:00:16 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191982/043_chapter_43.mp3" length="4113466" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/18e0bd21-6022-4f16-9493-6727693bbefe/18e0bd21-6022-4f16-9493-6727693bbefe.srt" type="application/x-subrip" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/18e0bd21-6022-4f16-9493-6727693bbefe/18e0bd21-6022-4f16-9493-6727693bbefe.txt" type="text/plain" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/18e0bd21-6022-4f16-9493-6727693bbefe/18e0bd21-6022-4f16-9493-6727693bbefe.vtt" type="text/vtt" language="en"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>514</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>042 - Chapter 42</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/042-chapter-42--70191981</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191981</guid><pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:00:19 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191981/042_chapter_42.mp3" length="2621533" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/fec9f5bf-11f9-4bb8-a068-fb4337446141/fec9f5bf-11f9-4bb8-a068-fb4337446141.srt" type="application/x-subrip" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/fec9f5bf-11f9-4bb8-a068-fb4337446141/fec9f5bf-11f9-4bb8-a068-fb4337446141.txt" type="text/plain" language="en"/><podcast:transcript url="https://transcription.spreaker.com/starship/fec9f5bf-11f9-4bb8-a068-fb4337446141/fec9f5bf-11f9-4bb8-a068-fb4337446141.vtt" type="text/vtt" language="en"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>328</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>041 - Chapter 41</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/041-chapter-41--70191980</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191980</guid><pubDate>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:00:18 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191980/041_chapter_41.mp3" length="2064673" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>258</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>040 - Chapter 40</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/040-chapter-40--70191979</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191979</guid><pubDate>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 10:00:20 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191979/040_chapter_40.mp3" length="7485166" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>935</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>039 - Chapter 39</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/039-chapter-39--70191978</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191978</guid><pubDate>Sat, 28 Feb 2026 10:00:23 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191978/039_chapter_39.mp3" length="3995065" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>499</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>038 - Chapter 38</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/038-chapter-38--70191977</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191977</guid><pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:00:18 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191977/038_chapter_38.mp3" length="9465347" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1182</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>037 - Chapter 37</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/037-chapter-37--70191976</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191976</guid><pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:00:31 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191976/037_chapter_37.mp3" length="8828159" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1103</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>036 - Chapter 36</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/036-chapter-36--70191975</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191975</guid><pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:00:20 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191975/036_chapter_36.mp3" length="4428714" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>553</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>035 - Chapter 35</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/035-chapter-35--70191974</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191974</guid><pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:00:22 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191974/035_chapter_35.mp3" length="4100706" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>512</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>034 - Chapter 34</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/034-chapter-34--70191972</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191972</guid><pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 10:00:24 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191972/034_chapter_34.mp3" length="2493509" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>312</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>033 - Chapter 33</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/033-chapter-33--70191970</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191970</guid><pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 10:00:22 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191970/033_chapter_33.mp3" length="5653303" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>706</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>032 - Chapter 32</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/032-chapter-32--70191969</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191969</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:03:17 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191969/032_chapter_32.mp3" length="5735514" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>717</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>031 - Chapter 31</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/031-chapter-31--70191968</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191968</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:03:16 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191968/031_chapter_31.mp3" length="5356464" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>669</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>030 - Chapter 30</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/030-chapter-30--70191966</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191966</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:03:15 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191966/030_chapter_30.mp3" length="3837546" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>480</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>029 - Chapter 29</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/029-chapter-29--70191965</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191965</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:03:14 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191965/029_chapter_29.mp3" length="9176667" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1146</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>028 - Chapter 28</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/028-chapter-28--70191964</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191964</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:03:12 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191964/028_chapter_28.mp3" length="2246040" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>281</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>027 - Chapter 27</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/027-chapter-27--70191963</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191963</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:03:11 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191963/027_chapter_27.mp3" length="8610812" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1076</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>026 - Chapter 26</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/026-chapter-26--70191962</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191962</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:03:09 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191962/026_chapter_26.mp3" length="7532863" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>941</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>025 - Chapter 25</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/025-chapter-25--70191960</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191960</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:03:08 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191960/025_chapter_25.mp3" length="5633221" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>704</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>024 - Chapter 24</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/024-chapter-24--70191959</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191959</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:03:06 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191959/024_chapter_24.mp3" length="5825882" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>728</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>023 - Chapter 23</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/023-chapter-23--70191958</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191958</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:03:05 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191958/023_chapter_23.mp3" length="5817307" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>727</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>022 - Chapter 22</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/022-chapter-22--70191957</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191957</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:03:03 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191957/022_chapter_22.mp3" length="6339232" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>792</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>021 - Chapter 21</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/021-chapter-21--70191956</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191956</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:03:02 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191956/021_chapter_21.mp3" length="4506949" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>563</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>020 - Chapter 20</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/020-chapter-20--70191954</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191954</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:03:01 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191954/020_chapter_20.mp3" length="9565967" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1195</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>019 - Chapter 19</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/019-chapter-19--70191953</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191953</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:59 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191953/019_chapter_19.mp3" length="10539321" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1316</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>018 - Chapter 18</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/018-chapter-18--70191951</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191951</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:57 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191951/018_chapter_18.mp3" length="6519343" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>814</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>017 - Chapter 17</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/017-chapter-17--70191949</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191949</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:56 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191949/017_chapter_17.mp3" length="12459882" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1556</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>016 - Chapter 16</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/016-chapter-16--70191948</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191948</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:54 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191948/016_chapter_16.mp3" length="5573601" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>696</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>015 - Chapter 15</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/015-chapter-15--70191947</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191947</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:53 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191947/015_chapter_15.mp3" length="8286360" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1035</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>014 - Chapter 14</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/014-chapter-14--70191946</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191946</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:52 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191946/014_chapter_14.mp3" length="3927289" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>491</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>013 - Chapter 13</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/013-chapter-13--70191945</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191945</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:51 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191945/013_chapter_13.mp3" length="5062346" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>632</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>012 - Chapter 12</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/012-chapter-12--70191942</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191942</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:49 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191942/012_chapter_12.mp3" length="9624331" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1202</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>011 - Chapter 11</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/011-chapter-11--70191941</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191941</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:48 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191941/011_chapter_11.mp3" length="4479755" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>560</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>010 - Chapter 10</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/010-chapter-10--70191940</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191940</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:47 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191940/010_chapter_10.mp3" length="9433132" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1178</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>009 - Chapter 09</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/009-chapter-09--70191938</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191938</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:46 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191938/009_chapter_09.mp3" length="4965908" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>620</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>008 - Chapter 08</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/008-chapter-08--70191937</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191937</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:45 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191937/008_chapter_08.mp3" length="10412971" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1301</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>007 - Chapter 07</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/007-chapter-07--70191936</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191936</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:44 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191936/007_chapter_07.mp3" length="8841964" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1104</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>006 - Chapter 06</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/006-chapter-06--70191935</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191935</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:43 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191935/006_chapter_06.mp3" length="5644516" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>705</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>005 - Chapter 05</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/005-chapter-05--70191933</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191933</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:42 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191933/005_chapter_05.mp3" length="8319202" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1039</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>004 - Chapter 04</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/004-chapter-04--70191932</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191932</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:41 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191932/004_chapter_04.mp3" length="4769898" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>596</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>003 - Chapter 03</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/003-chapter-03--70191931</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191931</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:39 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191931/003_chapter_03.mp3" length="3899046" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>487</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>002 - Chapter 02</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/002-chapter-02--70191929</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191929</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:38 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191929/002_chapter_02.mp3" length="9597344" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1199</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>001 - Chapter 01</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/001-chapter-01--70191928</link><description><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70191928</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:02:37 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70191928/001_chapter_01.mp3" length="9648177" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>Frank H. Spearman</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Set against the backdrop of early 1900s high society in the Northeast USA, Robert Kimberly tells the gripping story of a close-knit circle of affluent couples who indulge in lavish gatherings filled with dance, drink, and conversation. At the heart of this elite group are Robert Kimberly and his brother Charles, executives of a powerful conglomerate dominating the sugar refinery industry. Esteemed for his integrity and leadership, Robert remains unmarried, dedicating his time to caring for his ailing oldest brother with the assistance of a Catholic monk. The arrival of Alice McBirney and her husband from the Midwest shakes the dynamics; he has just sold his refinery to the Kimberlys, and Alice finds herself the object of Roberts intense affection. Despite her awareness of his feelings, Alice is determined to maintain a platonic friendship, viewing the prospect of infidelity as an abomination, even though her own marriage is fraught with unhappiness. The novel explores profound themes such as the sanctity of marriage, class relations, labor versus management, and the complexities of divorce, ultimately leading to resolutions that are anything but happy. Interestingly, Frank Spearman, known for his Westerns, diverges from his usual genre with this compelling romance, which many consider his finest work. (Summary by Bob Rollins)]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>1205</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>adultery,class,conflict,friendship,integrity,love,marriage,regret,relationships,society</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ecf899eb59822b3a6dfc6b3431c09dec.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>
