Arriving alone in America, he’s taken in by the Larks: a prominent family in the town of Guelisten. Though burdened by unresolved grief for his disappeared parents, he becomes fiercely loyal to the Larks, eventually marrying one of their daughters, Valerie.September 11, 2001: Javier Landes watches from his apartment window as New York City falls to terrorism. As one of Manhattan’s top-paid male escorts, this professional lover has never lacked for company and is loyal only to himself. But in the wake of 9/11, Jav is named guardian for an orphaned nephew in Guelisten and must open his carefully-guarded heart to pain he's long suppressed.Alex, Valerie and Jav meet first in their twenties, with a sudden attraction each finds strange and compelling. When they meet again in their forties, they discover not only is their bond still strong, but their life experiences are strangely similar. All have been shaped by separate 9/11's, and their unfinished business from the past will change everything they know about love, loyalty and friendship."Life has rules. You cannot come in the middle of the night and take what we agreed isn't yours."Across three decades and two continents, Suanne Laqueur's fifth novel explores the unpredictability of sexual attraction, how family ties are forged, torn and mended, and how love's downfall can turn to exaltation.

    The opening chapter in Ian C. Esslemont's epic new fantasy sequence, the Path to Ascendancy trilogy.For ages warfare has crippled the continent as minor city states, baronies, and principalities fought in an endless round of hostilities. Only the alliance of the rival Tali and Quon cities could field the resources to mount a hegemony from coast to coast -- and thus become known as Quon Tali.It is a generation since the collapse of this dynasty and regional powers are once more rousing themselves. Into this arena of renewed border wars come two youths to the powerful central city state that is Li Heng. One is named Dorin, and he comes determined to prove himself the most skilled assassin of his age; he is chasing the other youth -- a Dal Hon mage who has proven himself annoyingly difficult to kill.Li Heng has been guided and warded for centuries by the powerful sorceress known as the "Protectress", and she allows no rivals. She and her cabal of five mage servants were enough to repel the Quon Tali Iron Legions -- what could two youths hope to accomplish under their stifling rule?Yet under the new and ambitious King Chulalorn the Third, Itko Kan is on the march from the south. He sends his own assassin servants, the Nightblades, against the city, and there are hints that he also commands inhuman forces out of legend.While above all, shadows swirl oddly about Li Heng, and monstrous slathering beasts seem to appear from nowhere to run howling through the street. It is a time of chaos and upheaval, and in chaos, as the young Dal Hon mage would say, there is opportunity.

    Above all, as a very young child she decided one day that even if there was no other person in the world who loved and wanted her, she was going to love and care for herself—and that decision changed the course of her life. Africa’s Child is the story of a mixed-race girl growing up in the Usambara Mountains of Tanzania, East Africa. Raised in an orphanage with no knowledge of her origins or family, she endured abandonment, hardships, severe illnesses, and bullying. Her experiences as a child and teenager included physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, social stigma, and racial discrimination.Yet Nhambu tells her inspiring story with warmth and humor. Her questioning mind probes the African tribal realities and multi-cultural complexities that impacted her life both at the orphanage and schools run by German nuns as well as at an African high school with American nuns. Nhambu not only survived her childhood but triumphed. Her faith and resilience, along with a belief in learning and her tenacious pursuit of an education, sustained her through many challenges. Dance, especially African tribal dance, became the way she healed and nourished her spirit. Through the love and commitment of an American teacher she met in Africa, Nhambu was able to pursue her dream of education and a new life for herself. The first book in her three-part memoir ends as she is leaving Africa for university studies in America on a full scholarship.Maria Nhambu is the creator of Aerobics With Soul®, a fitness workout based on African dance.

    As Empress and Emperor of Cirrus, Anna and Malcolm must also deal with the politics of trying to unite those who live in the down-world with the pampered citizens within the cloud cities. Anna quickly learns that changing the way people think can be a daunting task, especially when the princes of Hell attempt to thwart her plans at every turn.With many of the cloud cities under the tyrannical control of high-ranking demons and princes of Hell, Anna and Malcolm must find a way to force them out of power if the world is ever going to experience real change. With her new War Angel army ready and willing to do whatever she asks of them, Anna realizes she has the means to take out anyone who stands in her way. Yet, war isn’t what Anna wants. God gave her the War Angels to help advance the human race to the next level in their evolution and to help solve the chaos Helena is causing around the universe. As Anna gets to know some of the War Angels on apersonal level, she begins to understand that they aren’t only there to help her. They are also there to learn what it means to live among humans and adapt to a new way of life. She quickly discovers that they may be angels, but they are far from perfect. Built as machines of war, these particular angels are finding it difficult to adjust to life on Earth. They seem to have as many triumphs as failures, but bothAnna and Malcolm attempt to guide them when they stumble. Their assimilation with humanity is vital to God’s plan.Reading Order of Watcher Books by Series:The Watchers Trilogy (Ages 13+): Cursed, Blessed, ForgivenThe Watcher Chronicles (Ages 17+ due to mature content and themes): Broken, Kindred, Oblivion, AscensionCaylin's Story (Ages 13+ - Can be read by younger readers without having to read the Watcher Chronicles): Timeless, DevotedAiden's Story (Ages 17+ due to mature content and themes)Alternate Earth Series (Ages 17+ due to mature content and themes): Cataclysm, Uprising, JudgmentThe Redemption Series (Ages 17+ due to mature content and themes): Malcolm, Anna, Lucifer, RedemptionThe Dominion Series (Ages 17+ due to mature content and themes): Awakening (January 26, 2016), Reckoning (Spring 2016)

    She views the horror of humanity's annihilation via cable television and the internet, until they too are gone. There is no time to understand the inexplicable sickness that takes everyone. Karen's daughter dies in her arms. Her husband and son never return. When she gets sick it's almost a mercy. And then she wakes up. Her dogs are all that is left. Whatever has caused the near extinction of human life, it has spared the rest of the animal kingdom. On her first trip out she finds a planet that is unalterably changed, not with a bang but with a whimper. Karen gathers a pack of canines as companions and helpers. Among her furry partners are two very special German shepherds that appear to be more than just man's best friend. As she tries to process her different existence and locate others, Karen begins a physical metamorphosis. What she's about to realize is that not everyone changes in the same way and that some things remain the same. Humans are still this world's greatest predator. If you love dogs; if you love imagining the struggle of a totally different world; or if you love getting to know new and unlikely characters, Critically Endangered is guaranteed to entertain. It is an epic saga and thought provoking novel about a "human apocalypse".

    Inked with the Blackmark and despised for it, Elohl uncovers the truth and exposes ancient enemies. Now, he must give everything to shatter the hidden sect that usurps power from the throne. A bloody war will be reaped in the shadows, that will burn nations and bring kings to their knees.This dark and gritty sword and sorcery series from award winning author Jean Lowe Carlson explores a complex world of treachery, passion, sex, and magic. Readers who enjoy George RR Martin's A Game of Thrones, Diana Gabaldon's Outlander, Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicles, or Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time will love this fantastic adventure.

    until Diane doesn't. Seven days later, she's facing consequences she never imagined. * * * * * As civilization collapses under a relentless wave of zombies, Diane and her friends take shelter in a military base. However, while she's rescuing another survivor, Diane gets bitten by one of the monsters. She knows if anyone finds out about the bite she'll be driven away, so she keeps it hidden. But she soon discovers she isn't turning into a zombie, she's turning into something else.---------I looked up and stared. My reflection looked back at me in the mirror of the dark room. My eyes were literally glowing, there was no mistaking it. It was not a reflection of light, or any of the other excuses I had used or others had assumed. They were glowing a light sapphire blue color. It was not a bright glow, but it was definitely a glow.Glowing eyes were not normal.Okay, at this point I had to admit it, I was no longer normal.What was I then? For that, I had no answer.

    After escaping from the notorious Moreton Bay Penal Settlement, Graham finds refuge with the Kabi, a tribe of Aborigines who eventually accept him as one of their own. Attempts to recapture Graham are orchestrated by a variety of contrasting characters working for the all-pervasive British Empire. They include Moreton Bay's tyrannical, opium-addicted commandant Lord Cheetham, the dashing yet warlike Lieutenant Hogan, native tracker Barega and the penal settlement's captain, Tom Marsden. Marsden's young daughter Helen, a progressive lady ahead of her time who is both an egalitarian and a feminist, boldly inserts herself into the clash between the Irish convict, her father and Moreton Bay's other iron-fisted rulers. Helen complicates things further when she finds herself in a Pride and Prejudice-style love triangle with men on opposite sides of the conflict.When Scottish woman Eliza Fraser is found shipwrecked and close to death in Kabi territory, Graham and his legion of pursuers, as well as the Irishman's adopted Aboriginal family, are all forced to navigate a multi-faceted rescue mission. The precarious rendezvous is made all the more dangerous by Helen Marsden's ethically-driven meddling that often outwits the men involved.WHITE SPIRIT is not only based on arguably the great Australian (true) story, a sweeping tale that encapsulates all the nuances of the southern continent's unique history, it also provides readers with detailed insights into the tribal life of First Australian (Aboriginal) peoples.

    After three years of WWII, Britain is showing the scars. But in this darkest of days, three lives intertwine, changing their destinies and those of many more.Dr Archibald McIndoe, a New Zealand plastic surgeon with unorthodox methods, is on a mission to treat and rehabilitate badly burned airmen – their bodies and souls. With the camaraderie and support of the Guinea Pig Club, his boys battle to overcome disfigurement, pain, and prejudice to learn to live again.John ‘Mac’ Mackenzie of the US Air Force is aware of the odds. He has one chance in five of surviving the war. Flying bombing missions through hell and back, he’s fighting more than the Luftwaffe. Fear and doubt stalk him on the ground and in the air, and he’s torn between his duty and his conscience.Shy, decent and sensible Stella Charlton’s future seems certain until war breaks out. As a new recruit to the WAAF, she meets an American pilot on New Year’s Eve. After just one dance, she falls head over heels for the handsome airman. But when he survives a crash, she realises her own battle has only just begun.Based on a true story, "The Beauty Shop" is a moving tale of love, compassion, and determination against a backdrop of wartime tragedy.

    However, with great intrigues unfolding all around him, Soren discovers that he is little more than a pawn to the ambitions of others. As he is swept from high society into exile in foreign lands to escape those who see him as a threat, he must rely on a mysterious gift and the lessons learned at the academy if he hopes to survive in a society where disputes are settled with a sword. Get your copy now and save 20% over the individual list prices. The Tattered Banner (Book 1)In a land where magic is outlawed, ability with a sword is prized above all else. For Soren this means the chance to live out his dreams.Plucked from a life of privation, he is given a coveted place at Ostenheim’s Academy of Swordsmanship, an opportunity beyond belief.Opportunity is not always what it seems however, and gifts rarely come without conditions. Soren becomes an unwitting pawn in a game of intrigue and treachery that could cost him not just his dreams, but also his life.The Huntsman's Amulet (Book 2)Alone in a foreign land, Soren must come to terms with loss and a gift that has been as much a burden as a benefit.A long abandoned city may hold the answers he seeks about the Gift of Grace, but a lethal assassin proves that old enemies have not forgotten him.As misfortune pulls him ever farther from an unsettled score, he finds hope in an unexpected place…The Telastrian Song (Book 3)A remote farm and meagre crops are a far cry from Ostenheim and the life of a banneret, but they are not far enough. For Soren to be free of Amero, there is only one answer.In Ostenheim, Duke Amero presides over a war-weary population and an empty treasury, but still he hungers for more.An Intelligencier uncovers the disturbing resurgence of sorcery in the city, while an avaricious colleague sees the chance to prove his worth to the Duke.Enemies and allies emerge from unexpected places, as Soren must face his former patron and idol for a final reckoning.

    A killer’s eyes. Nadia knew that on the bitterly cold streets of Moscow, she could never escape her past – but in just a few days, she would finally be free.Bound to work for Kadinsky for five years, she has just one last mission to complete. Yet when she is instructed to capture The Rose, a military weapon shrouded in secrecy, Nadia finds herself trapped in a deadly game of global espionage.And the only man she can trust is the one sent to spy on her…

    Not wanting to be consigned to his fate scribbling away all day or managing a shop, he takes matters into his own hands. Striking forth into the wide world, he makes friends on his journey, and experiences the joy of victory to the agony of defeat. Set in a Fantasy LitRPG world there is balance of all aspects one might expect to find from crafting, mana, and fighting. Discovering the forces that control his world Edward is a scientist at heart without knowing the word or even the concept behind it. Struggling against monsters, humans, and the forces of necromancy, he overcomes hardship to grow as an individual and as an adventurer.

    Nothing in this world could destroy a bond as fierce as ours.Or so I believed… Because life interfered.Impulsive decisions, reaped unyielding consequences.Fate had a way of making you question your sanity.Loyalties were blurred.Priorities, poisoned.And destiny… destiny dispelled all our beliefs.In the end love was just too consuming. Tragic even.Without a doubt, love... crossed many unfathomable lines.

    They are never heard from again.After the chaos of the great Wizard Wars nearly a thousand years ago, the people turned their backs on magic. It was deemed evil. Those born with it will stop at nothing to remain hidden.In the north, a young boy is hunted by the Black Watch. Desperate to survive, he turns to the one thing he fears most. Magic. A young girl's affection for him forces her to pick up the sword. Her life may never be the same. In the east, a tortured prisoner vows to escape the White Tower. His sister’s life depends on it. And in the west, a captain fights to protect his king while shielding the woman he loves from the king's son.The world balances on the edge of a blade.Can a handful of wielders manage to change it?The first installment in the Aldoran Chronicles, a new epic fantasy saga filled with magic and monsters, sword and scorcery, heroes, villains, and those in between.

    A fractured heart... Left in shattered shards of stained glass. Aspiring author, Callie Clark, finally achieves her most-coveted goal, landing a contract with a highly sought-after publishing company. Reeling from the pain of a broken heart, Callie puts her love life on hold. Focused solely on her career, the dream she’s faithfully held onto becomes taunting, and the higher she climbs, the faster she falls. When tragedy winds itself through triumph, Callie learns to open her heart again. But it might be too late when a visitor from her past resurfaces and threatens the dream she clings to.

     As Pope Benignus withers on his deathbed, conspiracies swirl across the empire. Bounty hunters and assassins flock to the frozen north, searching a city of thieves for an exiled politician while a storm of war and witchcraft brews on the horizon. As gambits play out, contenders die and the dominoes fall, a rare few will determine the course of history. Livia Serafini. Pious. Zealous. Driven. With her sights set upon her father's throne, Livia refuses to be a pawn of the conspirators that surround her. She'll risk it all to rise above the tempest and lead her people to peace. Her pure-hearted ambitions may cost more than she knows: her reputation, her life, even her very soul. Mari Renault. Honorable. Brutal. Lost. A war orphan from a land under a conqueror's yoke, Mari is haunted by the horrors of her past and an impossible dream of knighthood. When she finds her dark savior, she'll learn how dreams can come true...and how a ragged refugee girl can become a champion of the night. The Owl. Brilliant. Ruthless. Sadistic. The witch and her disciples, on a mission of vengeance, are lured into the battle for control of the papacy. Despite all of her well-laid plans, the Owl soon finds herself walking a strange and twisted road. One that pits her against the most deadly foe of all -- her own coven -- and rekindles passion in her ice-sheathed heart. Renata Nicci. Honest. Devoted. Daring. She's just a dockside tavern barmaid. That's what everyone tells her. That's all anyone ever expected her to be. But when her lover Felix is swept into a battle between banking families and the machinations of a criminal kingpin, she'll take up a blade and cross a war-ravaged land to save him. Four women, four lives on a collision course. When the dust settles, their world will never be the same...if anyone is still alive to see it. Collected for the first time, this omnibus includes all four books (roughly 400,000 words) of the Revanche Cycle: Winter's Reach, The Instruments of Control, Terms of Surrender, and Queen of the Night, all at a special box-set price.

    Each oversized issue comes with a selection of brand-new covers by some of the best Sherlock artists around! #1 kicks things off with a 52-page special. Meet Sherlock and Watson for the first time, all over again!

    Then they swap their bodies. The way to swap back is unknown. The most important thing is that the emperor is quite angry now!! Before every comes to normal, emperor has todeal with his mean imperial concubines that he never knows and the queen has to mediate between those ministeries...

    There are no exceptions. Pulled by magic and blood sacrifice into a world he can't possibly begin to understand, Kael Symes soon finds himself the focus of a Talohna-wide manhunt. Desperate and trying to stay ahead of ArchWizard Giddeon Zirakus's execution squad, Kael soon discovers that Talohna's ArchWizard may be the least of his worries. An ancient witch coven is also on the hunt for Kael, and they'll stop at nothing to find their messiah first. Trapped far below the earth inside the long-lost Dwarven prison of Arkum Zul, Kael has few allies he can trust. After months of torture and suffering, he is quickly running out of time to recover what was stolen from him: The magic of the DeathWizard. It's his only hope for escape.

    OFF. THE. CHAIN. Gutwrenching, heartwarming, frightening, loving, sexy as all living hell – it’s life in a book." - Kristen, Beverages and Books"I can't recommend this series enough. The Bellator Saga is PHENOMENAL. I don't know she does it but Cecilia has created this brilliantly intelligent, sexy, suspenseful, and moving saga with both light - hope, love, and friendship - and dark - hate, abuse, and evil. Each book has a distinct feel and direction and somehow each one manages to hit you at a completely different emotional level." - Suzanne, Tied Up In Romance "Breathtaking. Brilliant. Stunning...Reading these books is like eating a delicious and very expensive box of chocolates, each piece is unique, some sweet, some bitter but in the end you simply can't have enough...never before have I felt so inside or so connected to a story." -Dee, Wrapped Up In ReadingTwo souls intertwined. One epic love story.Get swept away in the passionate romance between political opposites Caroline Gerard and Jack McIntyre in the first half of The Bellator Saga.This set contains the first three books in the series, Dissident, Conscience, and Sojourn.DissidentRising Democratic star Caroline Gerard is reluctant to fall in love again after losing her husband. Can Republican playboy Jack McIntyre break through her grief and capture her heart? Told mostly in flashback and set against a chilling fascist backdrop, Dissident is a rollercoaster ride of political intrigue, passionate romance, and undying love.ConscienceCaroline faces the biggest challenge of her life when confronted with the cruelty and sadism of her captors at The Fed. Hope fades quickly, even as she holds onto her one last bit of sanity and her unshakable belief that her husband will rescue her. But is that faith just a mirage?SojournReeling from her experiences at The Fed, Caroline tries to forge ahead and create a new identity. But that’s hard to do with the ghosts of the past constantly whispering in her ear. She is determined to find the rebellion and move on with her life, but what will she find when she arrives there?Includes bonus material featuring a deleted scene from Sojourn, a sneak peek at Phoenix, and a never before released love scene told in Jack’s first person point of view!

    As she starts senior year in her third high school, Aerin's determined to leave her family troubles behind and be like all the other girls at Two Rivers. She's got a new image and a new attitude. She doesn’t want to win anymore. She's swimming for fun, no longer the freak who wins every race, every title, only to find herself alone.But when her desire to be just one of the girls collides with her desire to be the best Two Rivers has ever seen, will Aerin sacrifice her new friendships to break a longstanding school record that comes with a $50,000 scholarship?

    His new friend Riley doesn't believe in ghosts, either, but when Damien confides in him about what he thinks he heard, the two of them decide to investigate. On Halloween night.A decision they come to regret as soon as Pete's ghost traps them inside the building. It turns out Pete's got unfinished business with Damien concerning the collapse of their friendship. Damien's always blamed Pete for how it ended, but now Pete forces him to acknowledge the part he played in it. In order to survive the night, Damien will not only have to figure out how to fight a ghost, but he'll have to tell the truth about his past--even when that truth threatens to destroy his new friendship with Riley.

    Creating living carvings is an odd and troublesome gift for a humble clerk trying to uncover a plot against his beloved nation, Bittermarch. But like the hidden conspirators he's trying to expose, Davon guards a secret--he wasn't always a clerk. Once a nobleman and a Baron, Davon faked his own death to escape his cruel marriage. Davon wants a quiet life, but the Queen orders her new clerk to delve into the affairs of the lovely Lady Hightower to uncover the truth about the mysterious plot. He discovers that powerful and prestigious conspirators don't like meddlesome clerks, and Davon must dodge bullets and increasing scrutiny, fearing the exposure of his past life. As the clues fall into place, Davon finds that the fate of Bittermarch and the Eternal Flame itself are in his flame-branded hands.

    Perfect for fans of Stuart MacBride, Mark Billingham and Val McDermid.It’s Christmas in Sheffield. But not everyone is enjoying the festive season…A man has been found brutally murdered in his own home.The victim is Iain Kilbride, a once-famous TV star who has faded into obscurity. All signs point to a break-in, but why has nothing been taken?For DCI Matilda Darke, this is the perfect chance to prove her newly formed Murder Investigation Team are up to the task. Matilda suspects the clue to the finding the killer lies in Iain’s past, but she’s about to discover how dark that past really is…

    But in the segregated land of rural North Carolina, their love is a crime: Elizabeth is Caucasian, and Don is biracial. After Elizabeth’s racist mother makes a shocking demand, Don and Elizabeth are forced to part ways and never speak again.Over sixty years later, Don knows he’s running out of time. His stomach tumors are spreading, and at his age he knows the sun is about to set on his life anyway. But there is one person he can’t forget, one flame he can’t extinguish in his mind: Elizabeth, the woman who broke his heart six decades before.As Don’s body starts to shut down he sets out on a quest to find Elizabeth before time runs out and finally answer the question that has haunted him all his life: is first love meant to rage uncontrollably and then burn out, or do those fires never really die? And if we do run back to our lost soul mates and try for a second chance, can things ever really be the same?Soulful and romantic, Seth King's Blue will burn a hole in your soul long after you finish reading.

    Now, haunted by his past, Alaric has found one last chance at a cure, hidden in a magical Wellstone buried a century ago. With the help of a handful of quirky companions, the stone—and the cure—are finally within his grasp.But he’s not the only one searching for the Wellstone.His quest grows more perilous as he discovers that his companions are harboring dangerous secrets their own. It becomes almost impossible when he unearths rumors of a gathering shadow threatening the land—whispering of the return of a dark lord, thought to be defeated.To face this enemy, and have any chance of saving his wife, Alaric needs to be the Keeper he used to be, not the broken man he has become.Can he put the failures and pain of his past behind him to stand against the approaching threat? Or, in the face of all the growing shadows, will it be the darkness within himself that destroys everything?

    Now on Terra, he clings to life by the merest thread, his body ravaged by the curse of his Legion - the insidious flesh-change. The primarch Jaghatai Khan demands that Arvida be saved, no matter the cost. But even if such a thing were possible, what would remain of his mind and soul?His Legion may be traitors, but Revuel Arvida has proved himself among the most loyal of the Emperor's servants, bringing himself to the point of destruction in defence of the Imperium. What will his fate be?

    But some believe that it is time for their return.Two drakari priests embark on a quest to recover a long lost artifact that they believe has the power to do just that.As they hunt down the powerful Elder Stones, they must dig into its bloody past to unlock its secrets—and its power.This novella is a prequel to Dragon's Fire, Beating Back the Darkness, Book 1.Recommended Reading OrderDragon's FireThe Chronicles of AurionThe Halls of the Fallen KingTales from Darkness.

    Only the combined powers of two half-brothers can challenge the Mistwraith’s stranglehold: Arithon, Master of Shadow and Lysaer, Lord of Light.Arithon and Lysaer will find that they are inescapably bound inside a pattern of events dictated by their own deepest convictions. Yet there is more at stake than one battle with the Mistwraith – as the sorcerers of the Fellowship of Seven know well. For between them the half-brothers hold the balance of the world, its harmony and its future, in their hands.Critical Praise‘Astonishingly original and compelling… A gifted creator of wonder’RAYMOND E. FEIST‘Janny Wurts builds beautiful castles in the air … where every detail is richly imagined and vividly rendered’DIANA GABALDON‘It ought to be illegal for one person to have so much talent’STEPHEN DONALDSON —

    Instead, they find themselves ensnared by powerful magic, and given a choice: serve the cause of justice as part of a covert team of similarly bound villains—or die horribly. Together with their criminal cohorts, Rodrick and Hrym settle in to their new job of defending the innocent, only to discover that being a secret government operative is even more dangerous than a life of crime.From Hugo Award winner Tim Pratt comes a tale of reluctant heroes and plausible deniability, set in the award-winning world of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.

    Formerly in Navy intelligence, he’s cast his lot in the New York art world. He’s landed a job with the venerable Medici Studios, which also contracts with the NYPD and FBI. On a winter morning, they’ve run a sting operation to track Russian art smugglers. The caper goes awry, but an odd bit of evidence remains: four art catalogs with graffiti markings.So begins Gallery Pieces, a story that will keep readers guessing until the end. Peale follows the clues where they lead. He meets a heavy at the Miami Art Fair, chases a mystery bidder at Merriweather’s auction in Manhattan, and crosses paths with a Brooklyn performance artist whose pranks are dangerously entangled in the Russian intrigues. Step by step, Peale enters an art world permeated not only by the avant-garde, but by the Russian mob, hackers, forgers, hipsters, and the history of art looting in Europe during WWII.When Peale least expects it, the catalogs lead him on another trail. He is drawn into a long-forgotten mystery surrounding his grandfather, Maxwell Peale, who had been a “monuments man,” a soldier who helped reclaim art looted by the Nazis. Peale is on his way to discovering paintings stolen in postwar Europe. Finding the culprits, however, brings him closer to home than he’d imagined.

    Settle in to enjoy these ten tales of independent American heroines who meet their rebellious matches! The Reluctant Debutante : Ginger Fitzpatrick would rather be rallying for women’s rights than attending the Cotillion Ball—until she sets her eye on Joseph Lafontaine, a half Ojibwa Indian, whom New York society deems her unsuitable to marry. But love knows no such boundaries… The Abolitionist’s Secret : Heather Fitzpatrick falls for young army lieutenant David Whitman, who is tracking the runaway slave she rescued a few nights earlier. Can their attraction survive the coming divide between North and South? Banking on Temperance : Banking heir Basil Fitzpatrick has his pick of the ladies—but it’s impoverished spitfire Temperance Jones, daughter of a circuit-riding preacher, who catches his eye. She’s determined to get to Oregon—does he have the courage to follow? The Tempestuous Debutante : The smart choice says Jasmine Fitzpatrick should choose to charm the Viscount of Foxborough at this season’s Cotillion, but the noble’s stable boy, Parr O’Shaughnessy, may hold the key to her heart. Blinded by Grace : Grace Wagner has loved Halwyn Fitzpatrick since they were teens. When she needs a husband to inherit a trust, will Halwyn’s new glasses help him see her in a new light, or will she take control and propose? The Duplicitous Debutante : Rosemary Fitzpatrick hides her female identity as dime novelist F.P. Elliott, from new publisher Henry Cooper. When her deception begins to unravel at the Cotillion Ball, will deceit cost her the man she’s come to love? Expressly Yours, Samantha : To escape her wicked uncle, Samantha Hughes cuts her hair and joins the Pony Express as a man. Valerian Fitzpatrick’s fleeing life in the family business, but he and Sam fall in love once her secret’s uncovered. But does a future with her mean giving up the freedom he’s always craved? A Widow’s Salvation : Volunteering at the army hospital, widow Pepper Fitzpatrick Brown meets head surgeon Colonel Elijah Williams. It’s hard to find happiness in a war-torn United States, but these two wounded souls stand a fighting chance—if they can save what’s left of their hearts. The Forgotten Debutante : Saffron Fitzpatrick spent her teenage years mourning the dead rather than dancing at her debutante ball, with the exception of one forbidden kiss with soldier Ezekiel Boone. Fate reunites the couple three years later, and they discover unexpected common ground. An Unconventional Courtship : Discover where it all began with this bonus novella featuring the Fitzpatrick parents! When a busybody from back home confronts Charlotte Ashcroft, who’s attending a women’s rights speech in New York City alone, she grabs the man in a jaunty blue hat nearby and introduces him as her escort. What’s an up-and-coming young banker like George Fitzpatrick to do but help a lady out?

    The author's journey is full of fun loving events and adventure. When tragedy strikes it strikes hard and deep and though to many, disbelief, it does strike often. The highs reached within the story and the self transformation are quite surreal however a dedicated faith seems to reign through. The lows will jerk a tear or two here and there although what may seem unbelievable is all true and written within the covers. The trouble with the truth is always the same, it is the hardest thing to ever believe. Someone can tell anyone lies and they will be swallowed hook, line and sinker. Tell the same person the truth and the response is often, get out of here, now way and such. Well here in the story of growth and life and loss is revealed a story of true and devastating loss all the while living for the future. Some may find it is exactly how it happened to them and many will just pause and imagine, again the question, is this true? Enjoy us getting to know each other through my life story and continue to have faith no matter what life throws at you. This story may cause some heartfelt emotions and may also provide a good hearty chuckle and for both I cannot apologize only to inform you they are parts of my life, my story that may cause you never to leave this book down or if only to run and have a deep moment with yourself. TWO Sons TOO Many says it all in the title, whoever thought two sons would be too many? Now we must look for a daughter.

    The Wonderful Wizard of Oz meets Kill Bill in this edgy, fast-paced, fantasy-adventure series from New York Times bestselling author Danielle Paige. This collection includes all three novels in the series, including the hotly anticipated Yellow Brick War!Dorothy Must Die: Oz has turned into a savage dystopia under Dorothy’s rule—and now a new girl from Kansas must take her down. Amy Gunn been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked. Her mission: Remove the Tin Woodman's heart. Steal the Scarecrow's brain. Take the Lion's courage. And—Dorothy must die.The Wicked Will Rise: With the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked scattered across Oz, Amy Gumm is on her own in the twisted fairyland. As she searches the kingdom in the hopes of destroying Dorothy once and for all, Amy realizes that nothing is what it seems in Oz and everyone has their own agenda.Yellow Brick War: Amy Gumm’s mission to take down Dorothy Gale is not going according to plan. Dorothy has found a way to bridge the worlds of Oz and Kansas, and Amy finds herself back where it all began: Dusty Acres Trailer Park. If Dorothy has her way, Kansas will be destroyed forever.

    It was not just the men who went to war but women too, as this action-packed story tells. Set against a sweeping panorama of the war and the Royal Navy, Wren Jane Beacon goes to War shows just how close to the action a girl could get. Brave and feisty, independent of spirit so always at an angle to authority, from the start of the war she does brilliantly as the Navy’s first experimental boat crew Wren. But the story is much more than bullets and stormy seas; human life in all its complexities is there as she comes of age under extreme circumstances. The young Jane Beacon not only has to overcome the entrenched chauvinism of the Royal Navy; she also learns about herself and her sexuality. She soon finds out that having an affair in a warship is a major naval taboo. Almost chucked out when it comes to light, only her exceptional performance in the boats saves her. As a rating she learns to live with the lower deck and its own particular ways but coming from a comfortable upper middle-class family she is just as at ease in the wardroom which in itself is a source of strife. As she develops, neither corporal punishment nor naval bloody-mindedness can put her off. Typical of her impulsive nature, she takes a naval cutter to Dunkirk without permission to help with the evacuation and does great things, much to the annoyance of Naval authority. World War Two saw the UK’s armed forces massively expanded and, as always, the fighting and dying was done by young men drafted in whether they liked it or not. This time, the conscription also took in the UK’s women on a mass scale, and without them the war would not have been won. While their work was mostly in support and production, there were some who got close up to the front line activities and Wren Jane Beacon goes to War is the story of one who did. It is much more than “a ripping good yarn”, as one reviewer put it, although it is all of that. Quite instinctively she lives, loves and works close to the edge and the tale shows women can be heroes too but always with a warm human side.

    Campbell award finalist Susan R. Matthews. THE FIRST OF TWO SERIES OMNIBUS VOLUMES. This volume includes series entries An Exchange of Hostages, Prisoner of Conscience, and Angel of Destruction. Volume Two—Fleet Renegade will be followed by the new Under Jurisdiction novel Blood Enemies.  An Exchange of Hostages Under Jurisdiction torture isn’t about truth. It’s about terror. The Jurisdiction’s Bench has come to rely on the institutionalized atrocities of the Protocols to maintain its control of an increasingly unstable political environment. When Andrej Koscuisko, a talented young doctor, reports to orientation as a Ship’s Inquisitor he will discover in himself something far worse than a talent for inflicting grotesque torments on the Bench’s enemies. He will confront a passion for the exercise of the Writ to Inquire, whose intensity threatens to consume him utterly. As Andrej struggles to find some thread of justice and compassion under the Law, and to hang on to what remains of his sanity, he will make powerful enemies who are eager to use his knowledge, his empathy, and his passion against anyone who challenges the Bench. Prisoner of Conscience He wanted to be a doctor, but his family sent him to be a Ship’s Inquisitor. Only his fierce determination to hold to justice wherever he can find it has preserved his sanity—his own force of will, and a peculiar partnership with a man condemned by the Bench to serve on pain of agonizing punishment inflicted by the “governor” in his brain. In Port Rudistal, a defeated people have been consigned to the authority of their ancestral enemies to suffer and work and die like cattle. Bereft of his friend, drunk on absolute license to work his will on prisoner after prisoner, will Andrej realize what horrors are contained within the walls of the Domitt Prison, and can he bring the truth to light before his enemies silence him forever? Angel of Destruction Bench Intelligence Specialist Garol Vogel is one of an elite few chartered by the Bench to uphold the Jurisdiction's rule of Law by any means he sees fit: to rewrite policy, assassinate corrupt officials, and topple planetary governments at his Jurisdiction's discretion. His most treasured achievement was the amnesty he brokered for the Langsarik rebels. But someone is raiding depot stations in the Shawl of Rikavie around Port Charid, torturing and murdering with unprecedented savagery. Vogel knows the Langsariks are innocent, but who could be to blame, and how can he prevent a Judicial crime of horrific proportions? Garol Vogel finds the answer on the wrong side of the Judicial order he’s served faithfully all his life, and once he sets foot on a path of subversion and sabotage there will be no going back, ever.About Fleet Inquisitor: "Starting with An Exchange of Hostages, I devoured Susan R. Matthews 'Koscuisko' novels—all six of them—when they first appeared.  Books with this much courage, clarity, and empathy are rare. The Under Jurisdiction series is a remarkable and unprecedented accomplishment.”—Stephen R. Donaldson, New York Times best-selling author of the Thomas Covenant series.More praise for Susan R. Matthews: “[Matthews] brilliantly uses science fiction’s freedom of creation to make a world in which she can explore deep moral conflicts.”—Denver Post “. . . has a dark energy . . . an extremely compelling read.”—New York Review of Science Fiction “A chilling and engaging novel of false accusation and the power of personal responsibility.”—Booklist on Angel of Drestruction “A tightly woven space opera full of grand heroic gestures and characters strong enough to sustain all the action.”—Booklist on The Devil and Deep Space

    The young blacksmith, Aros Asilias, planned a life with his girlfriend. The young prince, Doren Tunsev, plotted abdication. And the young mage, Rikki Nasem, dreamed of her freedom. All the while, the immortal King Neanthal remained locked in his prison. No one believed his followers would return, or that they would be capable of releasing him. But when they reappear and swear to do just that, it falls to Aros, Doren, and Rikki to stop them.

    Drangar Ralgon has been avoiding the abyss's gaze for far too long and now he turns to face it. For a hundred years the young kingdom of Danastaer has thrived in peace. Now their northern neighbor, mighty Chanastardh, has begun a cunning invasion. Thrust into events far beyond his control, the mercenary Drangar Ralgon flees his solitary life as a shepherd to evade the coming war and take responsibility for his crimes. In Dunthiochagh, Danastaer's oldest city, the holy warrior Kildanor uncovers the enemy's plans for invasion. As ancient forces reach forth to shape the world once more, the sorceress Ealisaid wakes from a century of hibernation only to realize the Dunthiochagh she knew is no more. Magic, believed long gone, returns, and with it comes an elven wizard sent to recover a dangerous secret.

    Experience an epic journey through Buddhist Cosmology and Genesis written in the second-person narrative.

    Now, only one remains. Exiled for the sins of his father, Barakiel accepted his solitary life until Special Agent Zan O’Gara showed up at his door investigating a ritual murder. He suspects his father is behind the gruesome crime and knows he should stay away from the beautiful FBI agent, but his discipline fails him. Zan believes Barakiel is a wealthy businessman with information vital to her case. As her investigation brings her closer to the truth about him, he learns his presence on Earth has placed vulnerable humans in danger. Compelled to protect them, he undertakes a series of duties he may not survive."Barakiel is a fantastic hero – weird, complex, enigmatic but also compassionate and sensitive. . . . Zan is an amazingly strong heroine and so easily relatable that readers will just love her too.” – InD’tale MagazineWARNING: This book contains foul language, violence, explicit sex, and sexual violence. Adults only! This is not a stand-alone novel, but the first in a five-part series. The romantic science fantasy continues in The Pain Season: The Covalent Series | Book Two, available now.

    . . and deadly. As one of the emperor’s Golden Daughters, her skills have been honed to knife-like sharpness in readiness for her eventual sale to some faceless bridegroom, whom she will serve and protect for the rest of her life. But when the priests of Hulan seek special protection for one of their sacred Dream Walkers, Sairu eagerly forgoes marriage and takes on this unique role instead. Rather than a bride, she becomes a handmaiden to the mysterious and powerful Lady Hariawan, guarding her through a long journey across the empire to safety and seclusion in a remote mountain temple. Little does Sairu guess the dangers stalking Lady Hariawan’s footsteps—shadows crouching at every corner, demons haunting beyond the edge of dreams. For the Dragon has seen the power of this Dream Walker . . . and he has plans for her.

    Ciran and his companions must figure out not only how they are going to rescue the prisoners, but how they are going to complete their mission without killing each other. This first book in the new urban fantasy series by Hazel West is a story of brotherhood and friendship against all odds, that mixes the ancient Irish legends with a modern setting for an action-packed read.

    Part obsessive dieter’s manifesto, part smart-ass common sense, WTF am I supposed to eat? is insightful, refreshing, and motivating—the kick in the ass that you need to stop listing to everyone else, and start doing what is right for you.“I’ve spent a lifetime sifting through a sea of weight loss information and misinformation, all tangled up in knots; it is my mission to unravel the mess and search for WTF is the truth, and WTF is total bullshit.” -C.J. English WTF am I supposed to eat? is not a scientific proclamation of facts, although there are plenty throughout. There are also pieces of bullshit scattered here and there to see if you’re still paying attention, analyzing carefully, and asking yourself what will work for me? WTF am I supposed to eat? is loaded with smart-ass advice from a smart-ass chick who generally knows what she’s talking about.FIVE STARS! “Facts, answers, ideas and solutions simmered to perfection in a fun an engaging way! I predict a best-seller! She will cut to the chase, chop up any confusion and deliver tons of fun “what the fuck” moments along the way.”-SueBee★bring me an alpha!★ ❶ Top-reviewer of romance/erotica on GoodreadsFIVE STARS! “This book is hilarious, smart and talks TO you, not AT you. It helps you decide what is best for you and how to maintain balance in your life. I plan on gifting this book to each of the ladies in my office... I can't wait to share recipes with them and wine. DON'T FORGET THE WINE! –FMABookReviews FIVE STARS! “Reading this book has literally blown my mind. WTF Am I Suppose To Eat has given me the exact tools I needed. I loved it, I am planning on re-reading this book several times, if not forever. She is honest and straightforward , she doesn't try to impress the reader with fancy, and complicated nutritional terms, or tries to push her believes down to anyone's throat.-Dee, WrappedUpInReading 5 AWESOME STARS! “Stop what you're doing right now, go on Amazon and order this book on PB! You won't regret it. This book should be on every kitchen counter, on every night stand and on every coffee table! If you've done it all and you don't know what else to do then look no further! It's refreshing, it's funny, it's relatable and it'll challenge your way of thinking. I plan on re-reading this book over and over again:)” –SherTheFablousBookLover, Goodreads ReviewerISBN 978-0-9863042-2-4ISBN 987-0-9863042-3-1(Alternate Cover Edition)

    But if you care, I’d like to do a different kind of dance with you.” Summer 1940. Fourteen-year-old Tessa Graham finds herself in a new, unfamiliar world. For her safety, she is sent from England to Chicago to live with the prominent Ardley family just before the London Blitz. Stifled by the ways of the rich, she is soon drawn to the city’s infamous South Side. A world where she discovers jitterbug dancing, and the intrigues of the powerful Irish community. But is this the escape she really wants? On the University of Chicago campus, eighteen-year-old Anthony Ardley has to make a choice. His country stands at the brink of war. Conscription threatens to become reality. As sole heir to the Ardley fortune, should he stand with his beloved uncle, a staunch isolationist, or join his radical classmates clamoring for American intervention? What will happen when Tessa and Anthony cross paths on the way to discovering themselves? A coming of age tale that emerges into an epic love story, this book takes you back to Chicago in the pre-war era, when two young people must find their paths in a world that is fast falling out of control. Don’t miss this story if you enjoy reading WWII historical fiction, moving romance tales, or slice of life stories during the WW2 era. The entire series is completed. Target release dates Book 2 Jalousie - April 15, 2016 Book 3 Desire - June 30, 2016 Book 4 Remembrance - September 15, 2016 All proceeds received for the first month of released will be donated to the Chicago Veterans

    It was not the first time that Marco saw a man at his father’s feet, crying and begging, but the first time that he couldn’t stand what he saw. He didn’t pity the man or his father. He pitied himself and the life he had chosen, a life that he had to leave if he didn’t want to be the one pointing a gun at someone’s head, if he didn’t want to be like the man whom he had chosen as his father.