Vorab-RezensentenZur Zeit verfügbar

Before love at first sight, there were things no one saw.

Annie never much believed in love. That is, until meeting Mark. After crossing paths on morning commutes, they connect at a group counseling session for trauma survivors. Each recognizes something in the other, though both hide their own troubled pasts. It's a whirlwind romance that propels Annie through their courtship, all the way to her wedding day—a day she couldn't have predicted for herself once upon a time yet now feels surer about than anything in her life.

But as Annie stands at the altar, casting her eyes over the rows of well-wishers, she spots a stranger in the crowd, and she soon learns that her new life isn't going to be the happily ever after that she had planned. Who is the stranger at the wedding? What really happened to Mark's first wife? And was Annie and Mark's meeting as random as it first appeared, or is something more sinister at work?

A sizzling thriller, A. E. Gauntlett's The Stranger at the Wedding will make you think twice before saying "I do."

A propulsive, layered novel about the meteoric rise of a legendary pop star and the secret she's kept hidden for fifteen years, for fans of Megan Abbott and Daisy Jones & the Six.

Everyone in America knows Dylan Read, or at least has heard her music. Since releasing her debut album her senior year of high school, Dylan's spent fifteen years growing up in the public eye. She's not only perfected her skills when it comes to lyrics and melody; she's also learned how to craft a public narrative that satisfies her fans, her label, and the media. In the circles of fame and celebrity in which she now travels, the careful maintenance of Dylan Read pop star is often more important than the songs themselves.

And so lots of people think they understand everything about Dylan Read. But what no one knows is the part of her origin story she has successfully kept hidden: her childhood best friend Kelsey vanished the year before Dylan became famous. Now, as Dylan's at the height of her career, Kelsey's body is found at the bottom of their hometown lake--forcing Dylan to reckon with their shared past, her friend's influence on her music, and whether there's more to their story than meets the eye.

Immersive, page-turning, and psychologically astute, Once More from the Top is a riveting and keenly observant novel about friendship, ambition, and the cost of fame. 

Does evil lurk in the shadows of the forest, or in the human heart? Eduardo Sangarcía's tale of one woman's witch trial opens the door to deeper horrors.

Anna Thalberg is a villager shunned for her red hair and provocative beauty. When she is dragged from her home and accused of witchcraft, her neighbors do not intervene. Only Klaus, Anna's husband, and Father Friedrich, a priest experiencing a crisis of faith, set out to the city of Würzburg to prove her innocence. There, Anna faces isolation and torture inside the prison tower, while the populace grows anxious over strange happenings within the city walls. Can Klaus and Friedrich convince the church to release Anna, or will she burn at the stake?

Set in the Holy Roman Empire during the Protestant Reformation, The Trial of Anna Thalberg is a story of religious persecution, superstition, and human suffering. While exploring the medieval fear of witches and demons, it delves into enduring human concerns: the historical oppression of women, the inhumanity of institutions, and the existence of God. Frantic in pace and experimental in form, this is an unforgettable debut from Mexican author Eduardo Sangarcía.

A picture book ode to Christina Rossetti’s classic poem and a clever homage to familiar fairy-tale villains, this story about two sisters will enthrall readers with its beautifully detailed art and enchanting writing.

Millie loves her quiet life on the farm, but Mina longs for adventure.

When the Goblin Market comes to town, Millie knows it's a bad idea. They've been told stories their whole lives about the dangers of the Goblin Market. But Mina just can't resist...

When Mina doesn't come back, it's Millie's turn to brave the market to bring her home. She will use all her smarts and all her courage to try to outwit the goblins and save her sister... but will it be enough?

This gorgeous and intriguing tribute to both Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti and classic fairy-tale villains is also a story about the bond between sisters and a celebration of courage, intelligence and resilience.

Audrey Needham, Bay Area interior designer to the rich and pretentious, is down to her last nerve.

Her boss is impossible to please, her future is in jeopardy, and her great-aunt Daisy needs support as her husband descends into Alzheimer's. When Daisy enlists Audrey's help preparing for a move to assisted living, Audrey risks her career to return to the idyllic small town of Charity Falls, Oregon, the summer stomping grounds of her childhood. But Charity Falls was also the place that broke her heart when her father was killed in a tragic fire at the Sugar Pine Inn thirteen years ago.

Despite Audrey's intent to avoid emotional entanglement, the pull of home is hard to resist. Something should be done about the deteriorating inn. A local girl with an incarcerated father needs a friend. And handsome local do-gooder Cade Carter is coloring Audrey all shades of uncertain.

Join award-winning writer and debut novelist Kit Tosello in this lyrical and often humorous exploration of how God redeems brokenness and draws us to the life we're meant to find.

Take a magical walk through the forest and learn all about the wild beauty and wonder of mushrooms on this inspiring picture book journey!

A mushroom day is a day of exploring together and discovering some of the most incredible lifeforms on earth: fungi. In this lyrical, informational picture book structured around a walk through a summertime wood, a child and their caregiver share the sights, sounds and smells of the forest as they observe and identify different varieties of mushrooms.

On a Mushroom Day encourages curiosity and a love of fungi in young children and normalises safe, chaperoned joyful exploration of the fungal queendom all around us. Filled with fun, fascinating fungi facts and a visual catalogue of mushroom species so that kids can enjoy their very own mushroom day in the pages of this book!

In the hilarious ninth book of this blockbuster graphic novel series, Narwhal's sweet tooth leads to some very funny feelings!

Dive into four new stories so sweet they'll make your teeth tingle! Everyone knows that Narwhal is a big fan of sugary treats -— but Jelly is shocked when Narwhal's tusk-tooth isn't looking so pearly white anymore  and is feeling a little funny. It turns out, Narwhal has been using it as a "snack saver"!

Thankfully, no one knows more about dental hygiene than Shark — she has seven rows of teeth, after all! Meanwhile, Jelly and Crab try to show Narwhal that it's fine to frown if you're feeling down.

Can Narwhal's friends convince the happiest creature in the ocean that it's okay to have a bad day?

Ever since they met as teenagers volunteering at a conference center in Costa Rica 20 years ago, Fern Espinoza and Lily Graden have shared a close friendship, even though they live in different states.

They can hardly believe it when their teen dream of traveling to Africa together becomes a reality. It's the trip of a lifetime—but life sure isn't what they thought it would be back when they were young.

Along with their suitcases, each woman brings along emotional baggage that weighs heavily on them. Yet the people they meet and the places they experience have the power to change their hearts—but only if they surrender to the lessons God wants to teach them in this unexpected land of emerald tea fields, graceful giraffes, and rambunctious elephants.

Pack your bags and get ready for adventure as Robin Jones Gunn invites you on a safari of the heart in this vulnerable exploration of how to move forward in faith even when the future is uncertain.

Shelly has been confronting the demons of her childhood with a psychiatrist for some time.

From the outside, she seems to be holding it together—she’s married, she lovingly cares for her young daughter, Josie, and she manages a real estate career. But her hold on reality wavers from day to day. Tormented by violent scenarios presented by her imagination, Shelly constantly fears for her family’s safety; exhausted by her unrelenting panic, she has grown apart from Paul, her seemingly patient husband.

John was raised by a mother who wasn’t particularly maternal, or kind. Shadows of childhood abuse cling to him, sabotaging his relationships and keeping him in the grip of fear. His buried feelings of anger simmer below the surface of his life, threatening to erupt in a vicious show of power.

Their paths collide when Shelly discovers a shocking truth about Paul and heads out on a rainy Oregon highway. A tragic accident lands her in a coma—or does it? She enters a dark and transitory world, where she chases a child ghost named Red and encounters the setting of earlier trauma. As she fights for her life along the road, she meets John, who has a score to settle of his own.

This gripping psychological thriller from a promising debut author will leave you pondering the enigmatic boundaries between reality and the subconscious, and the profound impact of a disturbing past on our quest for inner peace.

This hilarious meta picture book from the author of Butterflies Are Pretty... Gross! shows us that ants aren’t so bad. In fact, they’re pretty amazing, and with their humongous families, they might turn your picnic into a party!

Nothing can ruin a picnic faster than a bunch of ants. It's a good thing there are no ants in this book... well, maybe there's only one. Or two... Or ten??

Maybe it's not so bad. Ants are kind of cool, after all - especially the ones with amazing butts, like the Acrobat Ant that waves its back end around to scare off enemies. Or the Slender Leaf Ant that can glide through the air. Or the Dinosaur Ant, which is the biggest ant in the world! Okay, so a picnic with ants is actually lots of fun!

But what if an anteater also wants to join the picnic?

American Book Award–winning author Tananarive Due’s second collection of stories includes offerings of horror, science fiction, and suspense—all genres she wields masterfully.

From the mysterious, magical town of Gracetown to the aftermath of a pandemic to the reaches of the far future, Due’s stories all share a sense of dread and fear balanced with heart and hope.

In some of these stories, the monster is racism itself; others address the monster within, each set against the supernatural or surreal. All are written with Due’s trademark attention to detail and deeply drawn characters. The story Incident at Bear Creek Lodge won a 2023 World Fantasy Award, and this paperback reissue includes two new stories, one of which is a sequel to Incident at Bear Creek Lodge.

In the shadows of ancient valleys and deep secrets begins the journey of The Chronicles of Wetherid - The Legacy of the Elves.

In a world where the power of nature and ancient magic determine the balance of life and death, an ancient book stands at the heart of an epic saga. Passed down through the ages by the Elves, the true guardians of Wetherid, it holds the secret to defending against the attacks of the united enemies of Fallgar.

As the sacred book suddenly disappears, an unlikely group of heroes embarks on a perilous journey to retrieve it. They must traverse deep forests, cities, and kingdoms inhabited by dangerous creatures and the shadows of forgotten powers, and solve the mystery of the book before its secrets fall into the wrong hands.

The fight against time is also a battle against themselves, as the heroes must overcome their deepest fears and prejudices to come together and avert the looming darkness. The Chronicles of Wetherid - The Legacy of the Elves is a story of courage, friendship, and the unstoppable power of hope that shines even in the darkest of times.

With every chapter the readers turn, a world full of magic, secrets, and adventures unfolds that will not let them go. Step into The Chronicles of Wetherid and become part of a legend that endures beyond the boundaries of time.

When a kid who can say NO visits an island of walruses who can only say YES, chaos ensues in this hilarious debut picture book. For fans of NO Is All I Know!

When you're a walrus living on an island where the answer to every question is YES, life is pretty simple, especially when that's all you've ever known. It's great when you want a slice of birthday cake for breakfast... and not so great when someone asks you to wear an itchy shirt.

But one day, a kid shows up, brandishing an entirely new word: NO. NO is heavy like a bookcase, solid as a boulder. It's not shaped like YES, but somehow, it's still an answer. The kid calls his friends to come visit the island too, and it's not long before they've eaten up all of the yummiest food without sharing. What's worse, none of them bring their own toothbrushes...

It becomes clear that what the walruses all need is to find their own NO... not only to hold back the rampaging horde of children - but for their own sakes as well. The Island Before No is a hilarious new picture book that blends its zany fun with an important message about respecting and setting boundaries.

Iris is watching Bronze. Bronze is following Carolyn. Carolyn is sleeping with Billy. Now Billy is dead and a killer is coming for them all.

Washington, DC, 1997:A city stumbling toward recovery after a decade of violence, drugs, AIDS, and exodus. Bronze Goldberg — a soft-boiled private detective in a hard-boiled world — scrapes out a living stalking the steps of cheating spouses while bearing the trauma of the past like an open wound. But his latest assignment, surveilling the indiscretions of a stunning femme fatale, has entangled him in the murder of an up-and-coming congressman and made him the target of an unstoppable assassin. Meanwhile, the spiraling chaos of Bronze's dangerous adventures has attracted the obsessive attention of his landlord, Iris Margaryan, a brilliant romance novelist who may hold the missing piece in the puzzle of Bronze's fatal past.

Can Bronze survive long enough to reach the ultimate truth? A gripping noir mystery — both intensely provocative and darkly thrilling — Blood and Mascara descends into the depths of the human soul before exploding in an ending too shocking to ever forget.

An Emotional Roller-Coaster Ride To The Edge Of The Universe.

When Teagan Ward claims seven babies, conceived artificially after she donated her eggs to a medical experiment aboard a rotating space habitat, are her children, she triggers a fight that consumes her life in a race against time to free her from the clutches of an unscrupulous doctor and a power-mad general.

Born in Space: Unlocking Destiny chronicles a gripping tale of sacrifice and redemption in which desire and ambition collide. As a ruthless mining consortium tightens its grip on the lucrative interstellar asteroid mining business, Teagan finds herself at the epicenter of a battle for control that spans the planets. Her seven children, born in a lab as part of a daring experiment to populate future space colonies, become pawns in a larger game of power and ambition.

Only the fragment of a distant solar system discovered in a captured asteroid has the lure to win her freedom and unlock the children's destiny. When a greedy businessman, an unethical scientist, and an unhinged general all covet its remarkable energy, one of the children spies an opportunity to orchestrate the reunion they've long desired.

Born in Space is the thought-provoking first book in the Sci-fi Galaxy series of speculative science fiction novels. If you like strong female characters, moral dilemmas, and stories of alien encounters, then you'll love Jeremy Clift's rocket-fueled tale of romance and resistance.

In the tradition of Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, and William Gibson, Born in Space: Unlocking Destiny is an enthralling journey into the depths of space and the human spirit. For fans of "Interstellar" and "2001: A Space Odyssey," this sci-fi gem promises an unmatched immersive experience.

What if you didn't have to go to college?

You may have heard that a college degree is the only path to success. But many college graduates end up mired in debt and underemployed, working jobs that don't even require a degree. The good news? There are many promising career options for those who don't want to or can't attend college.

In Rethinking College, award-winning journalist Karin Klein sets out a new path for our country's students and their families. Klein examines why the traditional college-for-all model has been overhyped and is growing less relevant, then shares practical advice and real-world examples of exactly how others have succeeded without a four-year degree.

Discover an abundance of alternative paths, including white-collar apprenticeships, certificate programs, entrepreneurship, creative careers, residential public-service work, and more.

Klein will guide you step-by-step toward a broad range of fulfilling and well-paid careers that don't require a degree--ranging from pilots, costume designers, influencers, writers, computer programmers, corporate headhunters, film editors, and so many more. The breadth of possibilities is wider than you think!

Rethinking College is perfect for:

• Those who are unsure of their next education or career steps.
• Those looking to make a job pivot.
• Parents seeking guidance for their child.
• School counselors who want to offer their students more and better options.

Don't just go to college because everyone says you have to—find the path that's right for you. It's out there.

At the age of fourteen, Sonia Leung was raped by her ping-pong coach.

She had moved from China two-and-a-half years earlier to join her family in Hong Kong, but she could not fit in. The family of six lived in a cramped subdivided hut in a Kowloon squatter village but rarely communicated with each other. The difficulties of adjusting to colonial Hong Kong heightened the tensions between her parents. Feeling trapped and unloved, Sonia was too afraid to tell anyone about the rape. She saved money by working part-time at McDonald's and, a year later, she bought a one-way plane ticket to Taipei and ran away from home.

The Girl Who Dreamed is a memoir of her childhood in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan - and how, through work and further education, she found her way to an independent life away from the family and world from which she needed to free herself.

"For anyone wanting to elevate their interview skills, this superb book does the job!" —STEPHEN M. R. COVEY

Go into your next job interview with confidence, ready to knock any question they throw at you out of the park!

The key to landing that dream job or big promotion often comes down to how you perform in the job interview. After bombing some interviews early in his career, Sam Owens vowed that would never happen to him again and began work on a system to ensure he was ready for even the most oddball questions in future interviews. The system he developed proved so successful, Sam built a career coaching business around teaching it to others and has now coached thousands of people on how to prepare for interviews.

In I Hate Job Interviews, Sam shares his proven methodology and provides simple frameworks and demonstrations on how to answer any type of job interview question. Using this proven system, job candidates will gain confidence in answering introductory, behavioral, hypothetical, opinion, personal, think-on-your-feet, salary, and self-awareness questions. You will learn:

• How to craft "power" examples to show how your skills align perfectly with the job you are applying for.
• To conduct practice interviews so you are ready when the big day arrives.
• To make a big first impression with that first question.
• To tell compelling stories that clearly demonstrate your abilities.
• Simple strategies and frameworks to nail hypothetical and scenario questions.
• Salary negotiation skills to maximize your job offer.

On a faraway planet, cute alien animals need help!

Luckily, Charlie and her robot friend, Random, are ready for any rescue adventure. Charlie is on a special trip to see the migration of the firecats, the fastest animals on planet Vela! But when rustlers start kidnapping the cats, the herd stampede, and a sparkly little firekitten is left behind. Charlie and Random must come up with a plan to stop the rustlers and reunite the baby firecat with its family before it's too late.

Fans of Zoe's Rescue Zoo and Holly Webb will love Cosmic Creatures! Beautifully illustrated throughout by Sophy Williams, Cosmic Creatures is perfect for animal lovers ages 6+. Look out for other Cosmic Creatures stories, including The Runaway Rumblebear.

Heidi Barr didn't believe in Jesus. No one in her Jewish family did, nor did they want to—especially not her father, who told her that Jesus Christ was the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on humankind.

So when Heidi was in a terrible horseback riding accident and died at age 16, Jesus was the last person she expected to see. Yet she did. And then she returned to life.

This is the incredible true story of Heidi's difficult family life, her sudden death, her unexpectedly loving encounter with Jesus, and her return to life on earth as a person completely and irrevocably changed. This is also the story of Heidi loving her father and mother despite their disbelief of and disagreement with her faith. And this is the gripping, beautiful story of her parents' eventual reconciliation both with Heidi and with God, through the redeeming grace and all-encompassing love of Jesus Christ.

2022 Bologna Children's Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition winner

2021 The White Ravens catalog

2021 Tartu Prize for Children's Literature

For this newly retired classroom skeleton, life is just beginning. When Gramps and Grams bring John to their farm deep in the woods of South Estonia, each day becomes a new adventure: rescuing snails, making snow angels, even sitting in a closet at an art exhibit.

Award-winning author Triinu Laan weaves death and grief into the bright fabric of life, crafting a tender, humorous portrait of what it means to care for one another, grow old together, and appreciate the little things.

Three couples… A weekend getaway at a secluded lake house… What could possibly go wrong?

Ben and Kelsey, Teddy and Denna, and Pete and Carrie haven’t seen each other in sixteen months. The friends are excited to reconnect and the trip is a welcome though cautious respite during a lull in the raging pandemic outbreak. Each couple brings along their own relationship issues and challenges, along with their fragile hopes of finding normalcy in a brighter, if yet uncertain, future.

What awaits them at Echo Lake, however, is more deadly than the virus.

The unexplainable will become the unavoidable and then the inevitable. Each friend will be tested to their limits. It will take sheer determination and resolve to survive…if they can.

Harrowing and relentless, The Vanishing at Echo Lake is a fast-paced thriller that weaves humanity and real-world issues seamlessly with the threat of the unknown.

Author and musician Antonio Michael Downing’s debut picture book is about big changes and big feelings, and speaks to all kids experiencing the highs and lows of childhood.

Little Tony is full of love for his grandmother, his home in Trinidad and delicious pholourie. But he's also full of other big feelings, including anger. His grandmother tries to teach him to be patient - patience is a star in his crown, she says - but it's hard.

He tries to keep his anger in, but when he loses at ping-pong to his brother or he has to come in from playing Yaaarrgh!

When Little Tony and his brother move away from their beloved Trinidad, there's even more for him to be upset about. His new home is cold, full of new people, and there's no pholourie anywhere! Yaaarrgh!

But then he remembers his grandmother's lessons, and a surprising thing happens.

A charming and heartwarming story based on the author's own childhood, Stars In My Crown is an ode to big feelings but even bigger triumphs.

A tender, fearless debut by a forester writing in the tradition of Suzanne Simard, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Robert Macfarlane.

Only those who love trees should cut them, writes forester Ethan Tapper. In How to Love a Forest, he asks what it means to live in a time in which ecosystems are in retreat and extinctions rattle the bones of the earth. How do we respond to the harmful legacies of the past? How do we use our species' incredible power to heal rather than to harm?

Tapper walks us through the fragile and resilient community that is a forest. He introduces us to wolf trees and spring ephemerals, and to the mysterious creatures of the rhizosphere and the necrosphere. He helps us reimagine what forests are and what it means to care for them. This world, Tapper writes, is degraded by people who do too much and by those who do nothing. As the ecosystems that sustain all life struggle, we straddle two worlds: a status quo that treats them as commodities and opposing claims that the only true expression of love for the natural world is to leave it alone.

Proffering a more complex vision, Tapper argues that the actions we must take to protect ecosystems are often counterintuitive, uncomfortable, even heartbreaking. With striking prose, he shows how bittersweet acts—like loving deer and hunting them, loving trees and felling them--can be expressions of compassion. Tapper weaves a new land ethic for the modern world, reminding us that what is simple is rarely true, and what is necessary is rarely easy.

In 1869 Virginia, a little girl fatally tumbles into a quarry. Her mother, aunt, and sister turn for comfort to Louis, the quarry foreman and a Union army veteran.

Louis falls in love with the aunt, but she is married, virtuous — unattainable. Seeking means to wed elsewhere, he brings a law suit against a cousin who ruined his father. The suit stirs up dead causes and deadly chicanery, while his relations with the women grow dangerously intimate.

Rooted in the beloved homeland whose cause he fought against with all his heart, Louis yearns for a woman who cannot be his and for a life that war and time have forever undone.

On a faraway planet, cute alien animals need help! Luckily, Charlie and her robot friend, Random, are ready for any rescue adventure...

Something has been stealing the humans' food on planet Vela! Charlie discovers the thief - it's a cheeky, fluffy, hungry rumblebear! The rumblebear has lost its family, and Charlie is sure she can help it find them. But first, she'll have to hide the rumblebear from the angry mayor, and it's not easy to hide something that roars like a lion and won't stop eating!

Fans of Zoe's Rescue Zoo and Holly Webb will love Cosmic Creatures! Beautifully illustrated throughout by Sophy Williams, Cosmic Creatures is perfect for animal lovers ages 6+. Look out for the other Cosmic Creatures story: The Friendly Firecat.

Cynthia Evans wakes up in the trunk of a car, no idea how she got there, only to discover she’s wanted for the murder of her husband and children.

With no memory of life prior, Cynthia is sure she did not commit the crime.

Only problem is—how does she convince anyone she’s not a murderer when she is not sure who she is?

With the help of a downtrodden diner waitress, Gabrielle, Cynthia fights to prove her innocence.

One thing is clear: Rick Evans is dead. But who is the real killer?

Code Peking Duck – the true story of a former CIA-agent in a turbulent decade.

After a wild cross-country odyssey through America, the land of his dreams, German pacifist Michael Miller ends up as a U.S. Army medic in Vietnam. Shaken by combat’s horrors, Miller decides to desert. Eluding the authorities halfway around the world, he returns to the United States. Facing years of prison for desertion, the CIA – impressed by the curious way of Miller's desertion – gave him the chance of a new life.

From now on, Miller freed in spectacular actions dissidents and defectors by bus, train, plane and helicopters from behind the iron curtain to the West. On top of his career he rescued an Iranian oil minister from Teheran and 141 German hostages out of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr during the riots of the Islamic revolution in Iran.

Electric, defiant, and singing with melancholia, Alejandra Banca's devastating debut throws its arms around a displaced generation of young Venezuelan migrants, reveling in the clamor and beauty of their day-by-day survival.

Below the rooftops of Barcelona's historic avenues, in the shadow of the Sagrada Família and its fleet of construction cranes, thrums a vital pulse: meal-delivery bikers, sex workers, strung out artists, anti-capitalist squatters, undocumented shopgirls, fledgeling drug dealers, and a thousand more lives that cross and knit together at the lowest level of Spain's urban tumult. The young expats of these stories careen through crowded streets, night clubs, and dating apps with a devil-may-care abandon that belies their precarious circumstances. Tragedy will erupt and then ebb in an instant, receding in the rearview like a roadside collision and haunting those that push on. Running on fumes and paltry tips, Banca's beleaguered characters race along a knife's edge and find unexpected solace in moments of shared vulnerability; a knowing thread that unites these strangers in a strange land.

In this English PEN Award-winning translation by Katie Brown, From Savagery announces Alejandra Banca as a resplendent and masterful new voice in Latin American literature—one that will take readers by storm.

Benji Zeb has to balance preparing for his bar mitzvah, his feelings for a school bully, and being a werewolf in this heartfelt, coming-of-age novel for middle-grade readers. For fans of Don’t Want to Be Your Monster and Too Bright to See.

Benji Zeb has a lot going on. He has a lot of studying to do, not only for school but also for his upcoming bar mitzvah. He's nervous about Mr. Rutherford, the aggressive local rancher who hates Benji's family's kibbutz and wolf sanctuary. And he hasn't figured out what to do about Caleb, Mr. Rutherford's adopted son, who has been bullying Benji pretty hard at school, despite Benji wanting to be friends (and maybe something more). And all of this is made more complicated by the fact that, secretly, Benji and his entire family are werewolves who are using the wolf sanctuary as cover for their true identities!

Things come to a head when Caleb shows up at the kibbutz one night in wolf form! He's a werewolf too, unable to control his shifting, and he needs Benji's help. Can anxious Benji juggle all of these things along with his growing feelings toward Caleb?

Are demons real? Do ghosts exist? Do some unresolved medical and mental health issues have a spiritual connection?

In When Demons Surface, former senior military chaplain Steve Dabbs answers those questions and more. Exploring more than 50 true stories of supernatural encounters from pastoral and personal experiences as well as historical research, this book is scholarly yet simple, hair-raising and enlightening.

When Demons Surface will fascinate those curious about supernatural experiences, equip pastors with a resource for those seeking answers, and enlighten advanced Bible readers with insights from Hebrew, Greek, and ancient literature. It will enable readers of all levels to identify supernatural encounters with angels and demons, exercise biblical authority over evil spirits, and help discern whether some unresolved mental or medical health issues are the result of spiritual warfare.

A novel of Felice Bauer, Franz Kafka’s first fiancée, and the story behind Letters to Felice

Franz Kafka scholars know Felice Bauer, his onetime fiancée, through his Letters to Felice, as little more than a woman with a raucous laugh and a taste for bourgeois comforts. Life After Kafka is her story. The novel begins in 1935 as Felice flees with her children from Hitler’s Berlin, following her family and members of Kafka’s entourage as they try to escape the horrors of the Holocaust. Years later, a man claiming to be Kafka’s son approaches Felice’s son in Manhattan and the drama surrounding Kafka’s letters to Felice begins.

While taking the measure of literary fame’s long shadow, Life After Kafka illuminates the bravery required to move forward through the shattered remains of one world to rebuild life in a new one.

“A deeply empathetic story of survival, exile, and belonging. Magdaléna Platzová allows Felice Bauer to step out of Kafka’s shadow and, in the process, she recognizes that there is always so much more than one truth. This is a powerful, kaleidoscopic literary novel.” —Colum McCann, author of Let the Great World Spin and Apeirogon

“Affecting.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“Enchanting. . . . As Felice Bauer receives her spotlight, Platzová deserves one, too.” —Publishers Weekly

In this peculiar story, we follow the lives of a few distinctive individuals living in an old apartment building, ranging from angsty youth to middle-aged couples and senior citizens.

Sorrows, insecurities, longings, frustrations, and, above all, secrets are concealed within each of these characters in an intricate maze of dysfunctional yet humorous relationships.

The intrusion of an outsider on a serene night unexpectedly impacts the building and its inhabitants, forever altering their lives and strangely mending some of their inner wounds.

Aristotle famously stated that humans are social creatures. The daily interactions among people, intentional or not, play a significant role in shaping their lives. As our characters struggle against it, loneliness becomes the driving force behind the central conflict, acting as the true antagonist.

Nature Sings is a beautiful collection of poems, photography and vignettes inspired by nature and its seasons.

Each poem leads the reader to a place of calm and serenity as they gaze upon the canvas of printed words. Prepare to be enthralled by each poem that paints the picture of the beauty and bliss of nature.

After the last elections were stolen from me, I never wanted to run for President again.

I just wanted to relax at Mar-A-Lago with Melania and my secret documents (I like to read them in the bathroom; sometimes it takes me a little while and reading secret CIA documents always helps me go).

But so many people came up to me, begging me to run again. “Please, Mr. President,” they said—they always call me Mr. President—”Please, Mr. President, the liberals are destroying our country, you have to help us.” And so I’ve decided to save our country one last time. But I can only do it if I have absolute, unchecked, total, completely and utterly above the law God-like power for one day-ish, okay?

In this political manifesto I will tell you exactly what I am going to do on that Long and Neverending Day. If reading this book won’t convince you to vote for me then I don’t know what will. So buckle up and prepare to be amazed!

What if the rock star you had a crush on in high school is into you? But it's 15 years later and you're over dating musicians. Or are you?

Tyler Robertson is a music manager. Cary Kingston is the biggest rock star in the world. She's sworn off dating musicians. And he's a confirmed bachelor.

But when their working relationship turns into something more, she wonders if she's falling for the rock star or the person.

You can't always get what you want... but sometimes you can.

In a funny and suspenseful debut, Christine Gunderson explores the myth of the perfect mother, the bonds of female friendship, and the haunting impact of secrets.

What you see isn't always what you get.

Take Ainsley. The gorgeous mother of two lives a picture-perfect life with her husband, Ben—aspiring politician and heir to a candy fortune—in suburban Washington, DC. But in reality, Ainsley has no idea what she's doing and is terrified someone will figure out who she really is and where she came from.

Nikki's fighting to keep afloat as a stay-at-home mother of four, subsisting on chicken nuggets and very little sleep. She's a mess on the outside, and inside yearns for the validation—and the paycheck—of the television news career she left behind.

When a dangerous figure from Ainsley's past becomes a coach at her kids' school, she fears the worst and confides in Nikki, spilling every detail of her former life.

Together, they devise a plan to expose the coach and safeguard their kids. But can they protect their own lives—and their new friendship—in the process?

Perfect for fans of Practical Magic and The Lager Queen of Minnesota: A coming-of-age novel following three generations of witches in the 1960s, this enchanting and heartwarming debut explores the importance of family and the delight and heartbreak of discovering who you truly are.

It's 1968, and the Watry-Ridder family is feared and respected in equal measure. The local farmers seek out their water charms, and the teenagers, their love spells. The family's charms and spells, passed down through generations of witches descending from the Black Forest, have long served the small town of Friedrich, Minnesota.Eldest daughter Elisabeth has just graduated high school—she is expected to hone her supernatural abilities to take over for her grandmother, the indomitable Madga. She's also expected to marry her high school sweetheart and live the rest of her life in Friedrich. But all she can ask is, why her? Why is her path set in stone, and what else might be out there for her?

She soon discovers that magic isn't the only thing inherited in her family. That magic also comes with a great price—and a big family secret. The more she digs, the more questions she has, and the less she trusts the grandmother she thought she knew. Who is Elisabeth without her family? She must ultimately decide what she's willing to sacrifice for her family, for their secrets and their magic, or risk it all to pave her own way.

Navigating the bittersweet tension between self-discovery and living up to familial expectations, What We Sacrifice for Magic is a touching look at coming into one's own.

Growing up is a natural part of life, and every child deserves to understand the different ways their body may change as they grow older.

While puberty happens to everyone, every child's journey from childhood to being a grown-up will be as unique as they are! In this honest, accessible illustrated guide to puberty, young readers can find out exactly what may happen as they grow from being a child to becoming a grown-up. From getting taller and discovering hair growing in new places to developing breasts, experiencing periods, or having wet dreams, this book provides the perfect stepping stone for every caregiver to have an open conversation about what it really means for a child to be growing up.

Working closely with a leading national LGBTQ+ organization as well as a biology specialist and an equality, diversity, and inclusivity consultant, Growing Up covers everything from biological sex and gender identity to physical changes and emotional development, including sections on friendships and emotional health, creating and respecting boundaries, and online safety. Written in friendly and accessible language that can be shared with a child or read independently, Growing Up also includes a further reading section and glossary to answer more complex questions, as well as a resource guide where young readers can find help from trusted sources outside of the home or school environment.

The shadows hold secrets darker than they ever imagined...

In 1888 Victorian England, Ami Dalton navigates a clandestine dual life. By day, she strives to establish herself as a respected Egyptologist, overcoming the gender biases that permeate academia. But with a heart for saving black-market artifacts from falling into the wrong hands, she is most often disguised as her alter ego, the Shadow Broker.

After eight years in India, Oxford’s most eligible bachelor, Edmund Price, has come out of the shadows to run for Parliament and is in search of an Egyptologist to value a newly acquired collection. Expecting a renowned Oxford professor, Edmund instead finds himself entangled with Ami, the professor’s determined daughter. As they delve into the treasures, their connection deepens, but trouble emerges when a golden griffin—rumored to bear the curse of Amentuk—surfaces, and they’re left to wonder if the curse really is at play, or if something more nefarious is hiding among the shadows...

Eli and Morgan experience life-changing revelations in this new adventure in the award-winning, Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle-grade fantasy series.

While exploring World's End, an area in Aski they've just discovered, Morgan and Emily delight in their developing relationship, while Eli struggles to understand his new-found power: the ability to locate a portal. A shocking turn of events leads them to a new village, Ministik, where the animal beings who live there are going missing. Horrified to discover who is responsible, the children vow to help and turn to friends, old and new. But it's getting harder and harder to keep the two worlds separate, especially when details of a traditional legend change everything. Forever.

When a mysterious organism starts killing off the oceans, can an inexperienced scientist stop the deadly red tide from spreading?

Gulf of Mexico. Diane Nelson has finally achieved her childhood dream. A recent Ph.D. graduate delighting in the chance to work for her hero, the twenty-five-year-old marine biologist is determined to solve why algae are destroying all life in and above the sea. But when a shooting incident in her new lab leaves one man dead, the unnerved woman fears something more sinister could be at play.

Joining her boss and three lab mates on an expedition to track down the organism's origin, Diane struggles to know who to trust. But after she defies company orders and uncovers a shocking conspiracy, the naïve researcher’s future could depend on separating friend from foe.

If you like complex characters, heart-wrenching drama, and thought-provoking themes, then you’ll love K.A. Kirtland’s powerfully dark tale.

Ever feel like it's easier to believe we'll meet God in the afterlife than it is to feel God at work in this life, with its chores and schedules and messes and unrealized dreams?

The truth is, God is at work every day of our lives, but because this work is quieter than we expect, we so often dismiss it as coincidence or chance. What if we could clearly understand those divine whispers? What if listening to them is the beginning of living out our truest story and purpose?

In Trust the Whisper, Kathy Izard shares compelling true stories that help you connect the "God Dots" in your life. Sharing her own and others' experiences of moving from a place of doubt that a higher power even exists to being certain about the divine weave in the world, Kathy offers you the courage to recognize God's guidance in your own life. She helps you ask the right questions, trust your deepest intuition, be powerfully present, embrace the unexpected, and risk believing in the dreams God is quietly urging you to follow.

From some of the biggest names in horror comes an Advent calendar of short holiday horror stories perfect for the darkest nights of the year.

Edited by award-winning author and anthologist Lindy Ryan and with contributions from masters of horror like Josh Malerman, Eric LaRocca, and Clay McLeod Chapman, this horrific anthology will chill you to the bone.

From New York Times bestselling author of Bird Box, Josh Malerman, comes a story of a dark Christmas past in "Children Aren't the Only Ones Who Know Where the Presents Are Hidden."

From national bestselling author Rachel Harrison, in "Thaw," a couple spends their first Christmas together in a cabin-but are they alone, or does something else watch them from the tree line?

New York Times bestselling authors Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon's "Wintry Blue" sets an innocent child on the road with a strange and monstrous creature.

From the Bram Stoker Award-winning screenwriter of Netflix's Haunting of Bly Manor and The Fall of the House of Usher, in Jamie Flanagan's "Bruiser," something sinister stalks the chilling hallways of a nursing home at night.

Author of Such a Pretty Smile, Kristi DeMeester, tells a tale of "Eggnog"- a Christmas party, an overfriendly female coworker, and an angry wife are the recipe for a deadly cocktail party.

Plus stories by Nat Cassidy, Darcy Coates, Clay McLeod Chapman, Tim Waggoner, and many more, with an introduction by George C. Romero and art by renowned British horror artist Mister Sam Shearon.

To ten-year-old Hannah and her best friend Chan, everything in their small Georgia town looks like a mystery—from the strange girl who moves into the little yellow house, to cryptic markings on a copper locket, to shadowy figures creeping through the woods at night.

Little do the girls suspect at the beginning of their summer break that these elements are all pieces of a puzzle that will lead them to long-buried family secrets. It will take detective skills (plus genealogy research) to uncover the truth.

Will the girls finally solve their first true mystery, or will someone find the answers before they do?

Finding our true selves has become the call of authentic living.

But this is where we can get it wrong and inadvertently pursue the wrong things. Living out of our true selves isn't just about becoming—it's about unbecoming all the things we believed we had to be to be loved and rebecoming our essential, God-given selves.

In this practical book, clinical psychologist Dr. Merry C. Lin guides you through a self-discovery process toward life-changing, daily transformation. She shows you how to

• understand what motivates you and why you do what you do
• identify things you do out of fear and self-protection
• develop true resilience to handle the challenges of life
• experience joy as you experience success in pursuing your dreams

and more.

Ready to live out of your healthiest, most integrated self to fulfill God's purposes for your life? It's time to embark on your own journey of rebecoming.

Charlotte Templeton has lived a comfortable and safe life for the past twenty-five years as the manager of a women's pro shop on a prestigious golf course outside of Boston.

She loves her job and her home, a small cottage on the grounds of the course. Although no stranger to tragedy and loss, Charlotte is devastated to learn that her near-perfect world is coming to an end as the golf course comes under new management.

Duncan Kirk, reeling from the wreckage of a personal disaster, finds himself in a place he thought he would never return—his hometown of Lobster Claw, Maine.

Charlotte's and Duncan's worlds converge during a violent nor'easter, and from that point, their lives are never the same; Charlotte questions if this little coastal town was the right move for her, and Duncan feels that his life is coming apart, and wonders if Lobster Claw will be able to put it back together?

The collision of their worlds sets the stage for Charlotte and Duncan to fulfill promises and dreams and create an unexpected future.

Twins. The tale of a villain and a hero.

Druids living secluded in the Astral Forest, Lucine and Solehan have been blessed by the stars since birth and are poised to become the protectors of the druidic clans during the Eclipse. But when a strange curse befalls the ceremony, the twins, sole survivors of the massacre, find themselves separated.

Taken away from his loved ones by an enigmatic and malevolent being, will Solehan succumb to the discovery of his deepest desires?

Left to herself and to the dangers of a world of which she knows nothing, and meeting fellow travelers with contrasting devotions and colorful personalities, will Lucine manage to uncover much more than she hoped for?

Between bonds of love and friendship, will this surprising group of adventurers succeed in finding Solehan before it's too late and in saving humanity?

Embark on an epic quest with Alaris, the standalone and debut fantasy novel by Fanny Vergne, a celebrated artist in the video game industry.

This book offers familiar tropes like "found family" and "enemies to lovers," yet it diverges from mainstream expectations. It's tailored for readers who enjoy delving into nuanced characters and observing, among other things, the evolution of a villain.

While heavily inspired by Dungeons and Dragons, the world-building is entirely original, meticulously crafted with intricate details. Moreover, the magic systems, including one based on genre, offer a fresh and distinctive twist.

When a 3,000-year-old demon grim reaper discovers someone's killing witches, he'll do whatever it takes to stop them — but everyone knows you can't cheat Death.

3,000-year-old demon grim reaper, Aiden Finn has been in trouble with Management before. Back in 79 A.D., he did some serious time in Hell for disobeying the orders of his boss. He just wants to do his job and stay off of Management's radar, but all that's about to change when he tries to get his latest Charge, Carol, to board the ferry and cross the River Styx after she becomes the latest victim of a serial killer targeting witches.

When Carol refuses to go, Finn promises to find her beloved cat a new home so she'll cooperate. His plan to drop the cat off at a local shelter takes an unexpected turn, however, when he arrives at her apartment and meets Chloe, the stunning red-headed witch who lives across the hall. Hoping to see her again, Finn decides to pet sit the cat instead.

As the number of murdered witches grows, Finn must figure out who is behind the murders before Chloe becomes the next victim. He'll do whatever it takes to stop them, even if it means risking an exorcism by walking into a church and sitting down for tea with a Catholic priest. Of course, if he does find a way to stop the killer-even a grim reaper knows you can't cheat death.

The nonprofit leadership book that will help you become a more effective catalyst for change.

“Clearly written and compassionate guidance for nonprofit leaders.” — Kirkus Reviews

"Regardless of readers' experience… Armijo's guidance is timeless, offering an inside view into the constant tension between mission and money..." — Booklife by Publishers Weekly

“[Armijo's] writing style is both informative and engaging…Excellent book!” — Readers' Favorite

What’s preventing YOU from changing the world for the better?

Based on the simple idea that nonprofit leaders frequently encounter a choice between advancing their organization's impact or its financial health, The Nonprofit Dilemma explores why nonprofit management is so challenging. Nearly every decision comes with the same underlying question—which aim to prioritize?

The Nonprofit Dilemma will help you gain the clarity and strategic intent you need to become an exceptional leader. You can achieve your mission aspirations while also being a great organizational steward. Whether you are an executive, board member, or future nonprofit leader, use this book to become the leader you want to be.

Inside you’ll discover:

• Insights to help you develop and implement a better strategy
• How to embrace values that differentiate your nonprofit
• Ways to build, empower, and motivate purpose-driven teams
• Proven business development tactics to grow your nonprofit
• Ideas to improve how you measure and communicate impact
• Strategies to develop more effective partnerships

Whether you need help with grant-writing, promoting organizational focus, or handling a governance issue with tact, this book has all the advice you need to become a more effective leader and catalyst for change.

★★Each year, a portion of the net sales proceeds from this book are donated to notable nonprofits per the program described on the author’s blog.★★

The Nutcracker and Edwardian-Era England combine to weave a magical tale of love and friendship at Christmastime.

As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn’t seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruel-hearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she’ll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family’s misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah’s hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been?

Kate’s dad was a cop. And now he’s dead. Killed in a random shooting in the quiet suburb of Maplewood, where random shootings never happen.

Before he died, he gave Kate a piece of paper and left very explicit instructions: Don’t read it. Don’t show anyone. Burn it.

But when Kate discovers a quarter of a million dollars her dad hid inside her guitar case, she discovers his secret. Her dad wasn’t just a cop. He was also a thief.

The last thing Kate ever promised her dad was that she wouldn’t tell. Not her mom. Not the cops. No one. So when her mom takes a job at a ski academy in Vermont, Kate hides the money and tries to forget.

Kate is more than out of her league at this mecca for competitive skiing—she doesn’t even know how to ski. That is until Ryan, the school’s shining star, takes her onto the ski slopes and skis off with her heart.

Just as things are heating up on the slopes, the past hits Kate like an avalanche. Random accidents are becoming commonplace and the people she cares about are being hurt. When a mysterious package arrives with a reminder to stay quiet, Kate and Ryan are forced to search for answers with the only clue Kate has left: everything she promised her dad she would forget.

In 1932, a Jamaican man named Leonard Percival Howell began leading nonviolent protests in Kingston, Jamaica, against British colonial rule.

While history books rightly credit Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. with popularizing nonviolent protest strategies in later years, little is known about Leonard Howell and his vision of self-reliance—poor people working together to build a society of their own. When Howell first started preaching on street corners in Kingston, he was immediately perceived as “seditious,” and he became a target for police harassment. Howell soon founded an organization called the Ethiopian Salvation Society. His idea was to add a religious element to Marcus Garvey’s message of African independence. Although Christian values were part of his belief system, he decided to make a break from the Christian interpretation of the Bible and extend the idea of divinity to a living man, Emperor Haile Selassie I, who had been crowned king of Ethiopia in 1930.

Jamaican journalists coined a name for the group: the “Ras Tafarites,” or “Rastas.” Howell was arrested several times and was eventually found guilty of sedition and sentenced to prison for two years of hard labor. In 1940, Howell and his growing group of followers moved to an old estate in the parish of St. Catherine. They named their land Pinnacle, and for the next sixteen years built a self-reliant community that would ultimately give birth to the Rastafari movement.

In 1942, Leonard Howell’s wife Tenneth gave birth to their second child, whom they named Bill. In Pinnacle: The Lost Paradise of Rasta, Bill Howell offers his firsthand account of this utopian community that suffered near-constant persecution from Jamaican authorities. Bill Howell also dispels many misguided notions about the origins of Rastafari culture, including allegations of sexism and homophobia. Pinnacle was built on egalitarian principles, and steered clear of all religious dogma.

Pinnacle: The Lost Paradise of Rasta provides a crucial and highly informed new perspective on the Rastafari subculture that Bob Marley would later help to spread across the globe. The volume includes photographs and original documents related to Pinnacle.

To give two little boys a home... She must take a chance on forgiveness.

The last person Valerie Williams expects to rescue her and her toddler twin brothers from a fiery blaze is Brett Richardson, her high school nemesis. But with her house burned down, Valerie is forced to stay at the same inn as Brett and work with him on the town festival. Now Brett has the chance to make things right, but can Valerie let go of the past to make way for a future together?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Climate change, AKA global warming, can no longer be trifled with.

You and yours are in jeopardy and have already experienced the effects. Humans have now stacked fifty years of failures into today's era of emissions desperation. Unfortunately, if we continue to fail, that failure will become permanent. Fortunately, an engineer, scientist, and now reluctant author, Timothy C. Thompson, used those fifty years of failures to learn from other's mistakes.

Brace yourself for the big news: Thompson has scientifically solved the climate change puzzle once and for all. He advises, "Climate change is not what we all thought: it's much worse." But don't despair: Thompson has proved climate change is 100% curable, "now that we've learned from our mistakes and understand exactly what's causing it." However, he warns, "We may each suffer past climate sins while curing it. Time is slipping away."

Written with everyone in mind, Thompson uses his warm, everyday voice, not his chalk and blackboard voice. This book isn't cold, dusty, and full of pompous jargon. You'll learn precisely what climate change is and what its cure, CMS, has in store for you, all in the form of someone who sounds like a friend, one looking out for all of our best interests.

Based on the true story of a Dutch sea captain who traveled with an Indian rhinoceros called Clara across 18th century Europe, The Rhino Keeper evokes both the thrill of discovery in the archives and the wonder felt by a world in which no European had seen a living rhinoceros.

2022 - College student Andrea Clarkson uncovers a historical mystery while studying abroad in Holland. From hidden desk drawers come unusual historical documents featuring a rhinoceros. On a lichen-covered eighteenth-century grave, the same animal is carved. When an expanding river forces exhumation, what she finds buried there is life-changing. Andrea faces her nightmares to retrieve what a grave robber steals: valuable proof of a long-forgotten history.

1740 - Ship captain Douwemout van der Meer has something not seen in two hundred years: the only rhino in Europe, called Clara. Douwemout and Clara tour Europe, enthralling peasants and queens, hoping to change popular views that rhinos are man-eating beasts. Absolute wonder follows, but when a priest sees idol worship and becomes hell-bent on destroying her, Clara, Douwe, and the lives of her bonded caretakers are at risk.

As Douwe becomes protectively dedicated to adventuring with Clara, unexpected love finds him, and his heart starts to tear. Will he choose a life with a traveling wonder-beast forever, or can love exist in many forms for the rhino keeper?

In 1885 London, Lillian Freemont embarks on a treacherous journey to reunite with her long-lost niece who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago.

Fueled by her sister's plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the shadowed streets of London. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice's disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction.

In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself unexpectedly running the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum's history, their collaboration takes a surprising turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on a haunting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum's reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for love and justice.

In this heartfelt dual-time tale, bestselling author Carrie Turansky weaves a story of two eras bridged by the quest for love and truth.

Perfect for fans of Sandhya Menon’s When Dimple Met Rishi and Graeme Simsion’s The Rosie Project, and lovers of rom-coms across all mediums.

On the eve of his 30th birthday, Arjun Chowdhury is handsome, successful… and single. When Arjun’s mother offers to set him up with an arranged marriage, he reluctantly accepts. However, he realizes that even a “straightforward” road to the altar has its bumps.

The biggest bump of all is Nisha Nandan, a failed romance novelist whose chance meeting with Arjun leads to an undeniable connection. With the date of his wedding quickly approaching, Arjun must decide: should he listen to his heart, or to his brain?

Sadie Sabatini thinks of herself as a modern-day Robin Hood who uses her gift as a skilled con artist to help those who have nowhere else to turn.

Leading this life is rewarding, but the number of enemies are piling up. Sadie decides to lay low and start over with a new (and legitimate business) in the small town of Wilson, Texas, situated on a small peninsula in beautiful Lake Amore.

Trouble is never far behind though and her past catches up to her in a big way when a friend of a former mark threatens blackmail for his silence. When he turns up dead and Sadie is the prime suspect, she realizes this time she must protect herself. Her skills prove helpful as she digs deeper into the web of revenge, blackmail, and secrets to discover she’s not the only one with a past to hide.

As the threats mount, Sadie knows she’s closing in on the truth. She now worries that the few new friends she’s made in town are in danger because of her. With time running out, can she protect those around her and find the real killer before this new chapter in her life is conned out of a happy ending?

Time... Fluid and Mercurial.

Scarce noticed until it runs out.

The measure of our lives is but a blink of the Cosmic Eye. What unknown forces move between those ticking seconds we squander? What unholy powers coil like a spring, waiting to be sprung? What happens when eldritch forces encounter the Age of Steam? Let's find out!

In the spirit of HP Lovecraft and HG Wells, we bring you The Chaos Clock.

Will our final hour ever end, or will we find ourselves trapped within its infinite embrace?

With stories by

James Chambers * Jody Lynn Nye * Marc L. Abbott * Rachel A. Brune * Teel James Glenn * Jeffrey Lyman * Bernie Mojzes * Carol Gyzander * F.R. Michaels * Danielle Ackley-McPhail * Maxwell I. Gold * Hildy Silverman * Will McDermott

When two high school sweethearts reunite, will they take another chance at love or let life sideline them at Christmas?

Benched with a career-ending injury, NFL wide receiver Jahleel Walker is forced to return to his hometown of Peachwood Bay, Georgia, during the holidays to heal, despite his rocky relationship with his father. Nothing shocks him more than running into Lucille “Bebe” Gordon.

Bebe Gordon came home to Peachwood Bay three years ago with a divorce certificate and her daughter. When Jahleel returns—for the first time in eight years—all the memories of the past come rushing back. The connection between them is still strong, but Jahleel has no plans to stay in Peachwood Bay, and Bebe won’t risk him leaving her again. As their hometown’s Christmas festivities bring them together, Jahleel must decide if he’s only home for the holidays or if the Christmas spirit that brought them together will last all through the year.

As the summer of his eighteenth birthday begins, Paul Nesbitt finalizes plans to escape his alcoholic, abusive father, enabling mother, and impoverished Jersey Shore town blanketed by the fumes of a chemical processing plant.

Although the local police have Paul in their sights for a break-in and theft, he has been able to avoid arrest and has vowed to do his best to stay out of trouble. Unfortunately, his strategies are disrupted when he meets Laura, a vivacious young woman from the city, who takes an unexpected interest in him. To deepen her intrigue, he lies about himself. The biggest one is his acceptance into a very prestigious Ivy League college.

But when the facade he’s created threatens to crumble, the only solution appears to be money. And the only way to get that money is for Paul to break his vow and take part in a very ambitious robbery that, if he’s not careful, may not only lead to his arrest but cause him to lose Laura.

55 mindfulness activities guide grown-ups and their little ones toward happiness, calm, and deeper focus.

"Mindful with Me is a perfect road map for parents and children to share a mindfulness practice that celebrates life's small moments and opportunities to connect." —Georgia Bomgardner, PhD, Nationally Certified School Psychologist

In Mindful with Me, practicing mindfulness with your child can take just minutes a day, and will help you both feel calmer, happier, and more focused. From alligator breathing to volcano jumps, from a sensory walk to a bedtime wind-down, enjoy discovering new ways to move, breathe, relax, and create with your child. With over 55 age-appropriate mindfulness activities, and easy-to-follow instructions, parents and children will begin to connect more deeply, feel less stressed and anxious, and more easily cope with big emotions.

MORE PRAISE FOR MINDFUL WITH ME

"Packed with dozens of evidence-based, kid-friendly practices, Mindful with Me shows us how to deeply enhance our own lives and those of our children with mindfulness." —Shonda Moralis, MSW, LCSW, author of Breathe, Mama, Breathe: 5-Minute Mindfulness for Busy Moms

Could there exist a love powerful enough to overcome the grave?

Hard times during the Great Depression force twenty-year-old Florence to leave her service at the monastery and seek employment. Fate brings her to work for a wealthy recluse, General Alexander Sterling. What she doesn't know is that he has left his native country escaping a painful past. A past that he yearns to forget, but destiny won't allow it as her presence brings it into complete focus.

Despite many daunting events and a meddling housekeeper with dark secrets of her own, Florence and Alexander fall deeply in love. And when an explosive truth shatters their blossoming romance, a mysterious stranger gives her an opportunity to travel back in time to unlock the secret to her existence. Florence must strive to return to the present to save their relationship from the imminent danger that awaits them.

If Ted Bundy, Dennis Rader (BTK Killer), and Robert Hansen had a prodigy, it would be Israel Keyes.

Meet the most methodical serial killer in modern history.

Israel Keyes wasn’t just any killer; he was a master manipulator and a meticulous student of his dark craft. He studied other notorious criminals to perfect his own gruesome methods, spreading fear wherever he went.

Dive into the chilling world of Keyes' carefully planned "kill kits" buried across the nation, ready for his next strike.

Like many notorious serial killers, Keyes led a double life, eluding capture for years while playing the role of a doting father.

From the random selection of his victims to his cunning methods, Keyes left a trail of terror that baffled authorities.

Discover the innovative investigative techniques that finally brought him down.

Join us as we peel back the layers of deceit and horror crafted by the Nomadic Devil.

Understand why his story continues to haunt the true crime world. Grab your copy today and delve into the mind of a modern monster.

When Boston journalist Lizzie Martin returns to her Cape Cod hometown for Christmas, she's faced with more than cocoa, cookies, and Santa arriving on a boat.

Her ex-fiance, Jack, is also in town, her dad's newspaper is struggling, her town is losing all its young people to opportunities and more affordable housing off-Cape, and climate change is rapidly eroding the coastline. Can two people who haven't spoken to each other in three years find their way back to each other, work together to help change their town's future and in doing so perhaps change their own?

"A sweet holiday escape, as comforting as a hot mug of cocoa with extra marshmallows!" —Kristen Meinzer, Podcast Host, How To Be Fine / Daily Fail / By the Book / Movie Therapy With Rafer & Kristen

"Happily, in Cranberry Harbor, hope always wins. Just the read for a gray Cape Cod winter day." —Sally Cabot Gunning, author of The Widow's War, Bound, Painting With Light and More

"A sweet, satisfying story about second chances and the powerful draw of home and history." —Abbi Waxman, USA Today best-selling author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, The Garden of Small Beginnings, Christa Comes Out of Her Shell

Bring your old Buick engine back to life with this new, all-color Workbench-edition book.

Buick has an interesting history with its 8-cylinder engines. In 1931, it began with the straight-8 engine, using overhead valve (OHV) technology while most of the other manufacturers were using 4- or 6-cylinder valve-in-block designs. When all of the GM divisions were converting to V-8 OHV postwar designs, Buick joined the party in 1953 with a design that was dubbed the "Nailhead." This design lasted a little too long, and Buick finally replaced it in 1967 with a more modern design. The new design lasted until the mid-1970s, when emissions compliance spelled the end for big-blocks, and in 1980 for the 350.

In Buick V-8 Engines 1967-1980: How to Rebuild, veteran author Mike Forsythe takes you through the complete process of rebuilding and restoring a Buick V-8 to factory condition. Covered in a thorough step-by-step format are the tools required, the disassembly process, analysis of what went wrong, parts selection and replacement, the machining process, preassembly, final assembly, and the break-in process. For those who are looking for a little more performance, a chapter about performance modifications is also included.

While many people want to do this work themselves, some just want to learn how it is done. Either way, if you are in the restoration process or simply want a return to factory-original performance in your Regal, Century, Electra, Riviera, or LeSabre, this book is an essential tool to bring your Buick back to its original glory.

No Kiss Can Break This Curse

A Grendel-like animal bent on overtaking the Beast's mind. A Beauty determined to dethrone a tyrant. The Tale as Old as Time as you've never experienced it before, perfect for fans of Brigid Kemmerer and Marissa Meyer.

There is no future for Lydia Brightwood.

The Crimson Lord, a tyrant bent on destroying Lydia’s country, made sure of that. Her only hope of a different life is to find the one person who could unite her country: a royal heir. There’s just one problem…

They’re all dead.

The Beast’s humanity is slipping away.

Shut away from the world by a horrible secret, Adam watches the destruction of his homeland from the ruins of a fortress all the while holding the devastating truth in his chest:

It’s his fault.

Fates interwoven, Adam and Lydia’s paths cross in the ruins of the north where they must find a way to conquer the curse before the country collapses—but being truly human has its price.

A dark, lush, and triumphant reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, Iron Rose is perfect if you love daring escapes, bloody battles, deep family bonds, love overcoming the odds, and a touch of old magic.

True Blood meets Supernatural in the kickoff of this urban paranormal fantasy series from an acclaimed author. Readers enter a dystopian San Francisco filled with empaths and vampires embroiled in political unrest — and Book 1 is just the beginning.

Much as she wishes otherwise, superstar political consultant Olivia Shepherd was born a powerful empath. It's a legacy she walked away from long ago—but when she wakes up one morning to find Elsa, a tenacious time-walker, standing in her kitchen, she realizes she can no longer ignore her gifts. She is quickly plunged into the hidden world of powerful "Others" and drafted to work for the Council, a shadowy organization that summons the fog to San Francisco to obscure their involvement in human affairs.Complicating matters further is Olivia's new love interest, William. A centuries-old vampire, William is far too jaded to take an interest in human affairs—but Olivia no longer has the luxury of remaining impartial.

As shocking details from Olivia's own past emerge and her role in the Council begins to take shape, will she rise to the challenge of her destiny?

Written as a collection of vignettes and poetry, The Unboxing of a Black Girl is a creative nonfiction reflection on Black girlhood.

The debut YA title, by award-winning author Angela Shanté, is a love letter to Black girls set in New York City and serves as a personal and political critique of how the world raises Black girls. As Shanté navigates the city through memory, she balances poetry with vignettes that explore the innocence and joy of childhood eroded by adultification. Through this book, she illuminates the places where Black girls are nurtured or exploited in stories and poems about personal and political boxes, love, loss, and sexual assault. Many entries are also studded with cultural footnotes designed to further understanding.

"Shanté adeptly addresses racism, implicit bias, gender, sexuality, sexual violence, and mental health, encouraging readers to care for themselves, think, research, and act. VERDICT Strongly recommended for all young adult collections." ―SLJ, starred review

"By weaving her personal experiences with reflections and observations, the author provides a rich tapestry of perspectives on Black girlhood. [...] A highly creative way of providing insightful social commentary." ―Kirkus Reviews

"The author’s story is split into the boxes that Black women do and don’t fit into, proving perseverance in a binary world and providing readers with the tools they need to understand [these] limitations[...]" ―Booklist

Emma Fernández lost her daughter in a school shooting in which a man with an assault weapon killed eleven children and their teacher plus the security guard.

She copes with her loss by committing herself to the mission of getting Congress to ban assault weapons. She testifies before a House committee to support a bill that would ban such weapons, she joins two national organizations with gun-control missions, and she participates in a major demonstration in Washington to end gun violence. But Congress does nothing, and in the meantime there are almost two mass shootings per day in America. Finally, she devises a monstrous plot to get Congress to do something.

Perfect for fans of Michaela Angemeer, Courtney Peppernell, Jennae Cecelia, and Atticus!

Between These Bones is a relatable and intimate collection of bite-sized poems that take the reader on a journey with Freya through trauma, the struggles that come with surviving abusive relationships, heartbreak, mental illness, finding oneself, healing, and opening up to new love.

between these bones

i have many stories

still waiting to be told

and one day

i'll set them free from the cage in my chest

and they'll fly like birds over the sea

they'll blossom like flowers in spring

and maybe

just maybe

i'll no longer feel so heavy

and maybe

just maybe

you'll read them

and you won't feel so alone

Artist Gabby Wolfe has the ability to see not only the beauty of the living but the despair of the dead.

When she returns to her childhood home in Henry Park, Colorado, she is forced to bring along her younger brother Mitch. He is on a “break” from college where he was majoring in wine, women, and song. If that isn’t enough they also have Mitch’s rambunctious beagle Luigi along who prefers to spend his days wallowing in junk food. When Gabby draws the death of a young woman before it happens, she knows she must tell someone and risk a new job and her professional credibility.

Will she reveal her secret in time to save the woman in the water or will it be too late?

Learn the step-by-step procedures for tearing down, rebuilding, and improving the most popular Jeep transfer cases by using this comprehensive manual written with the do-it-yourselfer in mind.

The transfer case is arguably the heart of any Jeep. It's the key component that splits power to the front and rear axles and ultimately provides the traction that has allowed Jeep to maintain its legendary off-road status for nearly 80 years. Jeep used several different transfer cases in its various vehicle models, many of which have an excellent reputation and remain sought after today. But even the best mechanical components can wear over time and need periodic service to ensure decades of reliable service.

While transfer cases may seem complicated on the surface, they can be successfully rebuilt by a competent weekend mechanic with surprisingly few specialized tools. Jeep Transfer Cases: How to Rebuildcovers rebuilding the most popular and widely used transfer cases found in dozens of Jeep models for decades, including the Dana 18, Dana 20, Dana 300, and the NP231. The entire rebuild process is shown from beginning to end while providing valuable pointers, complete specifications, and a list of the specialized tools that are required. Also included are tips for upgrading these cases for better strength and off-road performance, including deeper low-range gearsets, slip-yoke eliminator (SYE) kits, and much more.

Author Trenton McGee has written hundreds of technical articles on virtually every component on 4x4 vehicles for off-road magazines. McGee takes a layman's approach to tackling complex tasks while avoiding complex technical jargon.

This book will help you better understand your transfer case and determine if rebuilding your transfer case is for you or your local 4x4 repair shop.

Beyond the perilous landscape lies a love that defies extinction...

In the bustling world of paleontology in 1916, Eliza Mills defies societal expectations to pursue her passion. Having published her early groundbreaking papers under a false name, she has finally earned her place at the Carnegie Museum and seizes the opportunity to work at Dinosaur National Monument with a renowned paleontologist. But things in Jensen, Utah, aren’t what they appear. When Eliza gets the chance to dig up bones at a ranch with a dark history, it sparks a chain of events that will rock the very fabric of her carefully constructed world.

Devin Schmitt, Eliza’s closest friend since childhood, harbors unspoken feelings for her but knows he will never be able to win her heart. Just as he vows to give her up for good, Eliza begs him to visit her in Utah for another grand adventure. He reluctantly agrees, and within a few days of his arrival, he and Eliza find themselves entangled in a web of danger where the stakes are much higher than they ever anticipated. Together, Devin and Eliza must hold on to God as their hope as they navigate a treacherous terrain of betrayal to unbury the truth and save Eliza from those who wish to see her fail.

Months have passed since the old worlds ended, and Elwyn has yet to find her place in the new one.

Her fortunes turn when she's presented with the opportunity she didn't know she'd been waiting for: a shot at revenge against the spectral menace whose meddling doomed her closest companions.

Brannon has traded a life of bloodshed for one of incense and mantras, and he regrets the decision. When forced to confront the brutes who shaped him, he becomes more volatile than ever before and seeks out a worthy target for his rage. In setting fire to his past, he might just burn down every bridge he's built since.

Plagued by guilt for failing his friends and kingdom, Aedyn is desperate for redemption but would settle for distraction. A chance for both arises when he's recruited for a dangerous mission involving monsters who could crush his heart with their bare hands and a woman who could do the same with a smile.

Together with a friend they'd thought lost forever, a courageous fae warrior, and the embittered ward of their greatest foe, this ragtag group of ruffians ventures to an uncharted land filled with magic and mayhem. If they can uncover evidence of Unseelie plots, they could turn the tides of an inevitable war. If they fail, they might lose everything they cherish.

Truth told, folks still ask if Saul Crabtree sold his soul for the perfect hymn.

If he sold it to angels or devils. A Bristol newspaper once asked: "are his love songs closer to heaven than dying?" Others wonder how he wrote a song so sad, everyone who heard it died of a broken heart.

Yet, more than anything else folks ponder in the town of Trinity, one question lingers: why did this angel-toned preacher's son, just as his fame seemed ready to light the Appalachian nightsky forever, disappear completely?

In 1938, the decisions Saul makes will alter his family's story for generations. He and his eerily talented descendants ignite religious fear throughout Red Pine County. They navigate chapels, decaying sanatoriums, high school hallways, and a lingering myth from their Cherokee heritage that follows them wherever they go.

In the end, however, it's Saul's precocious grandson, Eli, who must find answers to these heartbreaking questions, who must enter this world rich in music and voices, where people die to hear the unspoken, and salvation is only found in the not-yet sung.

Private investigators Timothy Badger and Benjamin Watson take on another unusual and baffling case in Victorian London when a mummy unwrapping party takes a chilling turn.

London, 1895. Although their last high profile case was a huge success, private detectives Tim Badger and Benjamin Watson know they can't afford to turn down any work, despite financial assistance from their mentor, Sherlock Holmes.

So when the eminent Doctor Enoch Sawyer of St Bart's Hospital asks Badger if the duo will provide security for a mummy unwrapping party he is hosting, Badger doesn't hesitate to take the job. After all, how hard can guarding the doctor's bizarre Egyptian artefacts be? But with Doctor Sawyer running late for his own party, the 'genuine' ancient sarcophagus of Runihura Saa is unravelled to reveal the remains of... Doctor Sawyer! Suddenly, the pair are drawn into a new case that's stranger and twistier than they could ever have imagined.

Can you imagine a future society where human beings wear no clothes, only holographic projections?

The Holograph's New Clothes explores this intriguing world, where a man from an underground bunker emerges into a society that has replaced fabric with digital skins. This compelling short story delves into themes of identity, authenticity, and the human condition.

In a world obsessed with appearances, he is an anomaly, clothed in tangible garments amid digital illusions. When he discovers technology that reveals the naked truth behind these projections, he confronts the reality of this new society and its values. This narrative challenges us to consider the price of conformity and the importance of embracing our true selves.

The Holograph's New Clothes is a poignant reminder of the strength found in authenticity in a world veiled by perfection. It's a must-read for anyone who has ever felt out of place, questioning the norms that bind us.

Discover the essence of being truly seen in The Holograph's New Clothes.

Three Ordinary Mothers. Two Terrible Secrets. One Heart-Stopping Crisis That Changes Everything.

Mothers will do anything to protect their children… but the greatest threats always come from within.

Julie White’s once-sweet son has morphed into a teenage terror. She hoped it was normal growing pains but a glimpse into his private messages shatters that illusion. Now she wonders if her moody teen is actually a ticking time bomb…

Varvara Perlman’s researcher job is hard, but caring for her emotionally-complex daughter is harder. After dismissing the latest call from the school counselor as another ploy for attention, she can only hope it’s not too late when she finally understands. This latest crisis may not only be real, but deadly…

Crystal Carrasco is as warm and fuzzy as steel wool. Nothing gets to her…not even her own terminal illness diagnosis. When she realizes her newly-married son will cancel his upcoming honeymoon if he finds out, she decides to do the only thing that makes sense. Do whatever it takes to hide the truth…

Three ordinary women linked by one fateful event. When faced with the unthinkable, how far will they go to protect their children?

Elbowing elderly women in the face during a ham sale should have alerted the residents that something was wrong with Madeline Auger of 43 Maple Drive.

Madeline Auger embodies the epitome of motherhood perfection. Yet, sinister murmurs of her beloved Amelia’s contamination ignite an internal revolt, where maternal instincts metamorphosize into an ominous entity lurking in the shadows. Something with teeth.

When doubts and mistrust shatter one’s reputation, even the most maternal and nurturing demeanor cannot conceal the malevolent forces that are lurking beneath the surface, ready to cause harm and destruction.

*PLEASE HEED CONTENT WARNINGS*

Content Warnings:

- Lots of Graphic Bug Imagery (Moths, Maggots, Larvae, Centipedes, Roaches)

- Animal Death

- Narcissistic Tendencies from the Narrator

- Misogyny

- Abuse of Religion

- Death of a Child (alluded and then explicit)

- Eye Imagery/Feelings of Being Watched

- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (discovered toward the end)

- Slut Shaming of a Child

- Mouth Gore

- Implied Statutory Rape

- Adult/Minor Relations

Plot of Pilots Dawn 2024

When I wrote the original version of Pilots Dawn in the last decade of the previous century, the world was a different place. Three manufacturers of passenger aircraft existed in the United States. Boeing dominated the global market for airliners without serious competition. Airbus, whose share of sales fell short of 20%, was considered by many experts a challenger doomed to failure—if not an outright joke.

Politically, the Soviet Union had ceased to exist. The Cold War was over; the KGB had receded into history and expectations of a peaceful democratic Russia were the norm.

My fictional story about the sabotage of Boeing jets dealt with Western corporate and political machinations. Although a former KGB agent played a role in the success of a sinister operation, Russia was not involved. Indeed, such an attack at the time would have been unthinkable.

By 2024, East-West tensions reminiscent of the Cold War had resurfaced. It became not only imaginable but likely that Russia would attempt to further its expansionist activities in Ukraine and beyond by crippling the economy of her major rival. With Pilots Dawn I had unwittingly provided enemies of the West with a roadmap for sabotaging American aircraft.

Plot of the original Pilots Dawn

Walter Claussen, a KGB agent, becomes a capitalist after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He alone controls a weapon of mass destruction that he sells to the highest bidder. American passenger jets undergo a series of deadly mishaps that seem unrelated.

Frank Warner, meticulous head of air crash investigations at the NTSB, is unable to find the cause. The death toll mounts; the public experiences a collective fear of flying that threatens to cripple the nation.

Meantime in Paris Sophie Marx, retired Bureau Chief of the New York Times, begins work on a book about the life of France’s leading right-wing politician, Georges Michelet. At age 70, she is unable to do the legwork herself. Sophie solicits the help of her young American neighbor, the devastatingly handsome ne’er do well named Steven Le Conte, and sends him to the Riviera.

Steven is instructed to follow the guiding light of his “golden schwanz.” If he can manage to seduce Michelet’s daughter, Nicole, a sexy naïve teen vacationing on the Mediterranean, he might learn something beyond the reach of his boss.

Steven does not disappoint.

Optioned By Twentieth Century Fox

Decipher. Deduce. Deliver.

Sherlock Holmes, the most cerebral of detectives, finds his deductive powers put to the test in this intriguing collection of cases. Each adventure presents a web of secrets, clues, and deceptions. Only his highly honed observational skills lead him to the truth.

In a locked-room murder, did the victim succumb to The Curse of Kisin? And how had the daughter of Squire Northridge disappeared from her own locked bedroom? Can Holmes, an ocean away, determine if a missing treasure hunter ran off with Jean Lafitte’s fabled buried plunder? The disappearance of a beloved dog is an adventure filled with whimsy and humor, as are the return of Lady Frances Carfax and the howling dog of Baker Street.

Holmes’ unrivaled deductive powers rise to the test with each case. He shines as the consummate master of the art of detection and will captivate you from beginning to end.

The thing about my uncle was that I hardly knew him.

Uncle Theo kept to himself, some would say he was a recluse, and by all accounts, that was how he preferred it. I couldn't precisely recall when I had seen him last in the flesh. I just had a foggy recollection from when I was little, like a grainy home movie with cracks and skips and frames missing...

Although ten years have passed, Rhett Littlefield has always blamed himself for his father abandoning him and his family. When the troubled fourteen-year-old gets kicked out of school for his latest run-in with the vice principal, his frazzled single mother sends him to the hollers of Eastern Kentucky to stay with his Uncle Theo, a man of few words who leads an isolated existence with his loyal dog, Chekhov.

Resigned to make the best of his situation while still longing for the day when Mama will allow him to return home, Rhett settles into his new life. Rhett barely remembers his uncle, but he's determined to get to know him. As he does, Rhett discovers that he and Uncle Theo share a connection to the past, one that has altered both their lives, a past that will soon come calling.

The Thing About My Uncle is an engaging and heartwarming coming-of-age story that explores the cost of family secrets, the strength of family bonds, and the importance of reconciling the two in order to move forward.

Special educator Joanne De Simone bears all in this raw and transformative memoir that captures how she used lessons of modern dance in her journey through motherhood with two children with disabilities.

When the pediatrician places the measuring tape around her infant's head and notes, "His head is a little small," Joanne knows that motherhood won't be as she had dreamt. Even as a special educator, Joanne isn't prepared to raise a child with a life-limiting brain malformation. Nor is she ready for the compounded pain and alienation that comes when her second son is diagnosed with autism. But the struggle to balance her sons' medical and educational challenges drives Joanne to reconnect with the lessons she learned as a modern dancer—and there she finds enlightenment.

Inspired by her experience performing José Limón's There Is a Time, based on Ecclesiastes 3, each chapter of Fall and Recovery details a dance lesson and the dichotomy of parenting children with disabilities. Over time, Joanne discovers that surviving motherhood isn't a matter of strength, bravery, or faith. It's a matter of linking your past experiences and creating your own purpose. It's realizing that we live simultaneously in love and grief. In the end, dance teaches Joanne not only how to move freely through pain but also how to fall and recover.

In this thrilling conclusion to the Blackthorn Peak duology, secrets and manipulations are revealed, and no one is who they seem.

Six months after Shaun Treadway and his friends escaped Blackthorn Peak Asylum, they are hiding deep in the Appalachian Mountains where food is scarce, and help is even scarcer. There is no where they can go, and no one they can trust.

Then everything changes one gray October day...

When Shaun discovers that the Agency has returned to the asylum and activity has reignited with a vengeance, any hope he had, as fleeting as it was, comes crashing down. The Agency will never stop its mission to rid the world of "problem" teens.

Worse, he knows the Agency is coming after them, but so is the law. Shaun and his friends must face two terrifying prospects: be annihilated by the Agency or face the death penalty if arrested. With these odds, what is there to fight for?

But Shaun is no quitter. Forced to dig deep into his altruistic nature, Shaun vows to take down the Agency once and for all. Not just for himself, but for those he's come to love more than his own life. Because the one thing Shaun knows is that no matter the odds, it's always worth the fight when you're fighting for what's right.

Hank's planned one-night stay at a weathered motel turns sideways when he is attacked by its cannibalistic owner.

Having awakened in a cold, damp basement, he expects that he and another victim, Sara, will soon be killed. But to their surprise, their captor has other plans. He lets them live, attempting to manipulate them into accepting a life with him.

Silence in the Basement is a grim and unflinching exploration of free will, and a journey into the dark hearts of men—one who will mine the worst depths of depravity to exert his willpower, and another driven by a simple desire for survival.

Escape to the enchanting world of Victorian England with Abigail Adams’s spellbinding new novel, The Duke’s Forbidden Passion!

Meet Lady Arabella Chester, the spirited and rebellious daughter of a powerful lord, determined to carve her own path. Her world turns upside down when she crosses paths with the notorious Duke of Edinburg, Alexander. This chance meeting ignites a magnetic attraction that defies their better judgment and societal norms.

Experience the thrilling tension as Arabella and Alexander grapple with their forbidden love. Will they choose the luxurious life they know or the passionate connection they feel? Witness the tantalizing dance between desire and duty, where every stolen glance and secret rendezvous pulls you deeper into their world. Will their love conquer all, or will society's boundaries tear them apart?

Immerse yourself in a romance filled with mystery, intrigue, and a slow-burning passion. Don’t wait – pick up The Duke’s Forbidden Passion today and lose yourself in a captivating love story that promises to leave you breathless.

It only takes a moment for life to change forever...

Archaeologist Mia Davenport could never have guessed her boyfriend was cheating on her. So, when she catches him in the act, the choice to cast off love is an easy one. As is moving to career-central New York.

But settling in to new life isn't all she expected – especially once she meets the handsomely alluring Josh. Mia still can’t forget the hurt of her past, but when she starts to uncover the truth about him, she must choose: hide behind her walls or excavate the ruins of her heart.

She buried her feelings once, but maybe it’s not too late…

Study, Learn, and Compare the four major Romance Languages simultaneously: Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French with this complete comparative grammar & vocabulary handbook and over 1,000 easy-to-use Anki flashcards!

*** The Flashcards are Available using the coupon code in the Appendix ***

Specially designed as a fun, practical, and accessible path to learn and compare the four main Romance languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French at the same time through spaced repetition, this ultimate language learning handbook offers readers an engaging and enjoyable way of building their vocabulary and learning comparative grammar faster.

Featuring six levels of difficulty with multiple charts, tables, and examples, inside you will find an intuitive path to effortlessly improving your comprehension, memory, and comparative grammar skills of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French simultaneously. Instead of studying each language separately, this book allows you to save a great deal of time to study and compare the four main Romance languages at once.

This book can be very useful to you and serve as a great reference whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced student, whether you are a multilingual person or you just want to get an all-round knowledge, and whether you are a tourist or a businessman.

Drawing on the benefits of the spaced repetition learning system, including its power to challenge you with words you’re about to forget while downplaying vocabulary you’ve already mastered, Learn & Retain Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, & French with Spaced Repetition includes simple examples and lots of flashcards at Level I to help you build your confidence at your own pace. You’ll also uncover audio elements with the Anki decks to help you pronounce words and use grammar like a native speaker.

So, if you want to say goodbye to boring memory exercises, then Learn & Retain Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, & French with Spaced Repetition is for you! These intuitive lessons are designed to make learning a deeply enjoyable and rewarding process as you watch your comprehension skyrocket taking advantage of the grammatical and lexical similarities between the four Romance languages.

With Anki decks that are tailored to challenge you and present you with harder words and comparative grammar questions as you improve, now you can level up your knowledge, avoid repeating words you already know, and grow your vocabulary like never before.

The Ordinary Chaos of Being Human is a collection of deeply personal stories from people all over the world.

Stories like: finding first love in Egypt, celebrating a birthday while bombs are dropping in Iraq, losing a parent in the Philippines, coming of age queer in Kuwait, reminiscing over a kidnapped parrot in Lebanon... personal stories by people living all over the world on universally relevant matters of the heart.

It is a book of 41 short memoirs from 35 countries, revealing a contemporary view of Muslim cultures through the most transformative moments of the writers’ lives.

This is a collection of experiences that a rather large black and white Cat has while adjusting to his new home whilst at the same time, trying to train his inexperienced new owners.

What started out as just a one-off letter to his previous owner where he had lived quite happily, his story continued for a few more episodes over the following months and was given the name Oliver's Tale...

Jesus went about healing people and preaching the Kingdom of God.

Healthcare professionals who want to serve Christ often find it challenging to integrate faith and practice, especially in a cross-cultural mission setting. Questions that are difficult to answer arise: How do I share my faith appropriately? Is compassionate care not enough? How does my healthcare ministry advance Jesus’ Great Commission to disciple the nations? Competing agendas can drive healthcare and gospel ministry in different directions.

Healthcare and the Mission of God is a plea that we recover the larger context of our ministry, the whole story of the Bible. Our dilemma will not be sorted out by understanding health in isolation from God’s purposes for creation and redemption. We must view our work not just in the framework of modern medicine but in the framework of the story of Scripture as a whole.

Healthcare ministry can be a crucible – a vessel made to endure intense heat. What if the crucible of ministry is also an invitation to joy? A crucible tests and transforms its contents into something new. Jesus invites us as healthcare workers to be transformed for His glory even as He works through us to heal others who are broken. He does this by helping us connect the ministry of healing with the gospel story.

With minor contributions from others, the primary characters in the novella, Sex with Jesus, are:

• Joebh, the CEO,
• Noah, the psychologist,
• Haggai, the teacher,
• Susanna, the OB-GYN doctor,
• David, the judge,
• and Jesus, the minister.

Within the action-packed metaphysical framework of the novella are woven 48 sex (thought) surveys (free URL links) designed to address this important aspect of life.

Sex with Jesus also addresses the economy, mental health, antisemitism, student loans, suicide, misinformation, the world, nature, deoxyribonucleic acid, and more.

Rules of Teaching:

Clone thyself

Learn teleportation. The sooner the better.

Trust no one.

These are the rules I learned as a middle school teacher, though it was the last one that drove me from the classroom forever. Like many educators, I couldn’t survive the politics. After thirteen years, I bailed. How did I, an abuse-surviving queer, end up teaching in the middle of the Bible Belt? Better yet, how did I survive?

New Rule of Life: Neither my silence nor my identity is for sale at any price.

My former vice principal said it best (though I wasn’t supposed to see that email) when he asked, “Why does she always have to write a damn novel?”

So here I am. Writing a damn novel. As to the why…because I believe in changing the world, one word at a time.

Navigating discrimination, whether it’s from employers, medical professionals, colleagues, or family, is often fraught with uncertainty. Join Raven Oak on their journey of transition and self-discovery in a world built on silence.

CONTENT WARNING: As this is a memoir dealing with LGBTQ+ issues, there is content dealing with child abuse, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and other topics that may be triggering for some readers.

When the after effects of an ill-advised war cause the Sun to grow more and more unstable every day, the first manned mission to recolonize a failing Earth is sent off in what just might be humanity's last hope.

But the mission only makes it halfway before things start to go horribly wrong, hundreds of years from the ship's destination.

So begins a twisted game of cat and mouse as Commander Davis fights not only for his own life, but for all humanity.

Coming soon from the author of the short story Pursuit, read the debut novel from M.H. Altis today.

His power leveled a city. Now, he must save it.

In a New York City devastated by a superhuman battle gone wrong, Harry Cage is a man on the run. His Reality-bending power was supposed to save the day, not accidentally level half of Manhattan. Framed for the destruction he tried to prevent, he's now hunted by the military, with Colonel Henderson leading the charge.

Harry's only allies are Vanessa, a street-smart illusionist, and her precognitive little brother. Together, they uncover a sinister plot: Henderson is exploiting the chaos to round up superhumans for his mysterious Chimera project.

To make things worse, the Guardian—the cosmic being that gave him his power—is furious at Harry’s failure, and wants to banish him into another dimension. But Harry can't afford to be sidelined, not when Henderson is draining superhumans like cattle to create a new breed of soldiers.

With time running out and the odds stacked against him, Harry must master his unpredictable abilities to stop Henderson before it’s too late. A tall order, but Harry's been given a second chance, and this time, he’s determined to get it right.

subspace, a collection of kinky tales and stories, dares to explore the deepest, darkest desires of the human psyche.

From the power dynamics of dominance and submission to the tantalizing allure of kleptomania and the raw exposure of exhibitionism, each story is sensually crafted in a high literary style. Encounter characters who surrender to their most forbidden fantasies and fetishes, who pursue gratification at any expense, and who venture into uncharted realms of passion, yearning, and redemption.

Sometimes playful, sometimes poetic, always provocative, subspace embarks on a journey where kink intertwines with romance in a rich tapestry of tales which defy convention, and keep you begging for more.

It's smut with a little bit of plot!

Nessie Howard is an aspiring actor trying to break free of the life mapped out for her. When the gig of a lifetime turns into an absolute nightmare, she meets Chance Camden, a rich white boy with a voracious appetite she doesn't quite mind. What was supposed to be a one time thing leads to Nessie getting swept up in a world of New York elites and debutantes with vendettas.

Nessie knows she's way in over her head but Chance is fast becoming a drug she's addicted to. And with the threat of their erotic transaction blossoming into something more, she finds herself making a choice that could very well change the course of her entire existence. But she knows that whichever choice she ends up making, someone's gonna get hurt — and that someone could very well be her. 

Follow Nessie and Chance as they weave through the trials of love, sex and friendships that spawns into found family, knowing the only way they can get by is to give themselves A Chance for Happiness. 

Whoosh! Crash! Thunk! Follow along as the LOUD sounds of a falling tree signal the transformation of a QUIET area of the forest into a flourishing center of activity.

This lyrical nonfiction story uses word opposites such as small and large, dark and light, high and low, and fast and slow to introduce young readers to the natural recycling of fallen timber into log bridges. From bears, porcupines and raccoons to eagles, mice and deer, a host of forest animals repurpose a fallen tree, connecting two sides of a stream together throughout the seasons.

A carefully-chosen color palette of soothing natural colors and a charming collection of characters bring the playful prose to life in what is certain to become a storytime or bedtime favorite and a go-to book for early elementary science and language arts teachers.

A word of caution… you are about to enter a dystopian society where human life means everything – and nothing.

Amelia is a young woman trapped within the diabolical web of The Consortium – a powerful, secret organization run by scientists who have turned science fiction into science fact.

Over the decades, The Consortium has grown in numbers and power. There are only two classes of people that are important to them: their scientists, and those that help fund their work. No one else matters.

Amelia is one of The Consortium's many victims, known as inductees. The scientists use them in their cruel experiments to further their goals of evolving the human race.

When an experiment unexpectedly turns her into a player instead of a pawn – one with abilities only previously imagined as possible – she realizes she might just get the chance to end the living nightmare she has fallen victim to…

…even though it may cost her her humanity – and her soul – in the process.

The Consortium Trilogy is a thrilling ride, a blend of horror and science fiction set right here on terra firma, revealing the strength and grit of the human spirit. Full of action, romance, humor, drama, love and sorrow, it showcases the human spirit and how it can endure … no matter the odds.

In the shattered remnants of the New Pacific Alliance, where danger lurks in every shadowed alley, Cora, an orphan with an unknown legacy, has honed her skills in the martial arts, unaware of the dormant power within her.

This is a world of a post-apocalyptic dystopia where the lines between human and monster blur, and the fight for survival becomes as ethereal as the artifacts Cora wields.

When a bizarre zombie infection decimates her happy-and-simple martial art academy life, Cora is thrust into a brutal reality where her once-ignored abilities awaken, transforming mundane items into potent weapons known as "Ethereal Artifacts." These powers make her a beacon for hidden enemies, propelling her on a perilous journey through the ruins of society to uncover the truth behind the outbreak and her own extraordinary destiny.

As the city becomes a battleground overrun by zombies and marred by the darkness of human nature, Cora is drawn to a mysterious young man whose fate is intertwined with her own. Together, they face the horrors that have taken over their school and city, leading to a devastating choice that will change the world forever.

Through adversity, Cora’s journey is one of transformation—from an outcast with an unsociable personality to a confident warrior standing at the heart of a shattered world. Her story intertwines with newfound allies and enemies, romance, and the relentless pursuit of truth behind the zombie outbreak.

Ethereal Awakening is the first electrifying installment in the Ethereal Artifacts series, perfect for fans of dystopian societies, post-apocalyptic adventures, and powerful female leads. Join Cora as she wields her Ethereal Artifacts against the darkness, navigating a post-apocalyptic dystopia where each decision could mean the difference between survival and oblivion.

Black  Days tells the story of Daniel Fassett, a Vermont man who crashes his vehicle into the Mad River on Christmas Eve, 1992.

After nearly drowning, Daniel falls into a four-month-long coma shortly before his retirement date, and loses a significant portion of his pension.

Depressed and financially strapped, he enlists the aid of a local semi-retired physician, Dr. William Butcher, to help him hibernate through the winter in a homemade casket housed in a backyard maple sugarhouse.

Despite Daniel's attempts to maintain secrecy, word of the procedure eventually gets out — and that is when trouble begins.

From across the country, folks eager to escape their woes reach out to Daniel and Dr. Butcher in hopes of becoming the next to pass a season in oblivion. Large sums of money are offered for the privilege — but death, deception, and moral and ethical dilemmas that have no clear solutions wreak havoc on Daniel's life.

Beginning near Belgrade, the story tells of the effects of escalating war upon a Serbian-Jewish family and a developing forbidden relationship.

A trade war causes conflict between neighbouring countries. In the Balkan War, Stefan’s head injury threatens to change the course of his family’s life. Thereafter, he succumbs to alcohol.

Characters upholding the common good are prevalent, and others who are seen to be coercive controllers are despised. As the plot unfolds, the protagonists escape from one problem only to be trapped by another. Against the odds, a marriage succeeds. Children are born, and some deaths occur. A safe haven in Germany becomes enemy territory, and Stefan has to fight under another banner. Men from the community fail to return from worldwide war.

Deeper issues are questioned and discussed amongst the characters. Concurrent to the outer war, inner wars exist within each individual. Even the children are affected emotionally, and one child attempts suicide.

An episode of a different kind of prejudice continues, and eventually, a dramatic retrieval of a young infant from an orphanage sees a depleted family dramatically escape back to Serbia. The book leaves us wondering what will happen next.

Adventure and dread, two-fisted action and eldritch wonder – all to be yours in these five tales.

From Scott Forbes Crawford, author of Silk Road Centurion comes a collection of tales to thrill and bewitch. Previously published in SNAFU: Holy War, Bards and Sages, Sword and Sorcery Magazine and elsewhere, these stories of hard-bitten fighters and crafty innocents will spirit you off to realms of peril and awe:

“Besting the Beast” – After the onslaught of a demonic horde, a former bandit who left his savage ways behind him finds they may be of use after all.

“Half-baked Hero” – When a bodyguard encounters an outlandish client, she faces a choice between her past and future, vengeance and honor.

“Heart of a Samurai” – In the tradition of Japanese ghostly tales, a proud warrior learns the limits of his purity, courtesy of a cat.

“The Carving of a Warrior” – A young woman crossing a monster-infested forest must sculpt a new destiny if she is to survive.

“A Thief’s Work” – A novelette of intrigue and conspiracy in a city enslaved to the magical drug Sorcel. Can a burglar recruited into the resistance free her people?

Plus an excerpt from Silk Road Centurion, the chronicle of a Roman soldier fighting to make a life on the ancient Chinese frontier, called “a riveting action-packed novel” by Asian Review of Books.

Toledo, Spain, AD 1094.

When the fanatical Almoravids swept away the music, freedom, and religious harmony of Muslim-controlled al-Andalus during their conquest of southern Spain, Yasin Ibn Faraj lost the culture of his beloved home. Disowned after disobeying his family’s command to convert his religion, he follows other Christian Mozarabs north to Toledo. There, Yasin clings to wine, women, music, and luxury that the Almoravids forbade. Though his tastes are expensive, his skill at leatherworking and aptitude for crime lets him enjoy an indulgent life.

But, one misjudged theft sees him arrested and dismissed by his employer, and a Castilian nobleman offers him his only chance for escape: a pardon in exchange for Yasin stealing a rare book from the famous El Cid. There’s only one problem: Yasin is illiterate, and he must bring along a strange woman he doesn’t trust to identify the right text to steal. Failure isn’t an option, for the nobleman who controls their future is neither patient nor forgiving.

Together, these uneasy companions journey across a land torn by political and religious conflict. Pursuit of their prize will force them to confront not just the most unforgiving warlord on the peninsula, but also their pasts, Yasin’s lost home, and the family that disowned him.

Systems fall, planets die—darkness dawns on us all.

With the fall of Afterworld on the horizon, an epic alliance is forged. But is it enough to stop the impending takeover?

For as long as anyone can remember, Afterworld has teetered on the brink. With so much at stake, Arthur Pendragon, Dobrynya Nikitich, Ragnarr Loðbrók, and other legendary heroes unite to face the Dark Creator and his legions—an ancient force of chaos and destruction.

Ticktock.

More friends are lost.

Ticktock.

The last line crossed.

The ultimate showdown between mortals and gods has arrived. With the Dark Creator and his monstrous kin approaching the Divine Mountains, the protectors must sacrifice everything to ensure Afterworld's survival. Will their bravery and unity be enough, or will this encroaching darkness consume all in its path?

After a vagrant upbringing, free-spirited Wren Atwood has fought to beat the odds.

She has a career as a massage therapist, a solid church community, and now her lifelong dream is coming true, with a little blue house to call her own. But the first person to congratulate her is the last person she wants to see: pompous businessman Daniel Hollis.

Adored by most of Ridley Bay, Hollis has found success as an entrepreneur. Yet no amount of money can buy love from his family or health for his sister.

When a hurricane rips through the Texas coast and forces Wren and Hollis together, the walls they have built are exposed, along with the family secrets they hide.

As Wren turns to her toxic family for help, and Hollis fights to save his sister's life, they discover their efforts alone will never be enough. If grace can't repair the past, how can it rescue the future?