Unfortunately, these are NOT the personality traits generally celebrated in middle school – especially Sori’s, where she’s bullied mercilessly for defending the defenseless until she herself becomes a target. To escape, she transfers to a new school where the same old problems begin to play out all over again – that is until a mysterious trail of letters leads Sori on a magical scavenger hunt through the hidden world that exists right below the surface of her new middle school. The mail trail is the work an anonymous guardian angel, whose mission seems to be to provide a soft landing for Sori at her new school. But who is this person? And why did he choose her? With each letter, secrets are revealed and bonds are formed - as Sori learns about friendship, flora, fauna and finding the good in people in this strange new environment.

    It's a relationship of convenience at first, but could it become something more? This manga comedy is now a hit streaming anime!Extra-long book includes 2 Japanese volumes!Narumi and Hirotaka are, by all appearances, a power couple. They're young, good-looking professionals. But they have secrets from everyone but each other: They're serious geeks! Narumi is a fujoshi, and Hirotaka's a hardcore gamer. Their sweet, awkward love story started life as a webcomic before becoming a full-blown manga series by popular demand, and is about to become a major anime series!

    NOTHING VENTURED, NO XP GAINED Frustrated at the slow pace of their relationship, Hirotaka asks Narumi on a real date, with one critical stipulation: They can’t show their otaku sides at all! Can the two find something to bond over in the absence of games, manga, and anime? Meanwhile, Hanako and Taro revisit the origins of their own tempestuous relationship back when they were in high school, and even Naoya seems to be spending more time with a new friend!

    Even as his price drops with each passing day, no one spares him a glance unless it's to call him names. Having practically given up on life, the kitty himself is most shocked of all when an older gentleman comes into the store and wants to take him home! Will the man and the cat find what they're looking for..in each other?

    They're young, good-looking professionals. But they have secrets from everyone but each other: They're serious geeks! Narumi is a fujoshi, and Hirotaka's a hardcore gamer. Their sweet, awkward love story started life as a webcomic before becoming a full-blown manga series by popular demand, and is about to become a major anime series!work.

    Unfortunately for her, she behaved so unusually in the process that her retainers and professors have grown increasingly worried.Rozemyne finally clashes with the greater duchy Dunkelfelger over Schwartz and Weiss, and a game of treasure-stealing ditter is arranged between the two duchies’ apprentice knights. To make matters worse, she completely ignores proper diplomacy, accepting furtive consultations from the archduke candidates of other duchies and even giving the prince himself romantic advice! Her complete lack of foresight leaves the leaders of Ehrenfest in constant cranial agony.

    She serves pasta with sausage, blue fruit juice, and dead acid flies on request. And she comes from another world. Ours. It’s a bad day when Erin finds herself transported to a fantastical world and nearly gets eaten by a Dragon. She doesn’t belong in a place where monster attacks are a fact of life, and where Humans are one species among many. But she must adapt to her new life. Or die. In a dangerous world where magic is real and people can level up and gain classes, Erin Solstice must battle somewhat evil Goblins, deadly Rock Crabs, and hungry [Necromancers]. She is no warrior, no mage. Erin Solstice runs an inn. She’s an [Innkeeper].

    When she returns to the bookstore to buy the next volume, the high school girl working there--Urara, a seasoned BL fan--notices a budding fangirl when she sees one. When Urara offers to help Ichinoi explore this whole new world of fiction, the two dive into BL fandom together, and form an unlikely friendship along the way.

    Her first year at the Royal Academy has ended, summer approaches, and there's much for her to do. She strives to continue making books as per her promise to Lutz, but the spring feast also sees the announcement of her engagement to Wilfried—one of many political maneuvers to resist influence from the higher-ranking duchies.

    and that line is where Asako -- a woman who sweats copiously -- met Koutarou -- a perfume developer who can't get enough of Asako's, er, scent. Don't miss a romcom manga like no other!Yae's living her dream, working at the toiletry maker Lilia Drop. Little do her coworkers know, the reason she loves the company so much is that she's ashamed of her body odor, and their soap is the only thing that does the trick. So when the company's lead product developer, a perfuming genius, approaches her in the lobby and wonders what "that smell" is, she's terrified... but could it be... that he likes it? And, even more surprising to Yae... does she like him?The hilarious ups and downs of an office romance at a personal care products company are the subject of this sexy, strange romp. Sweat and Soap combines the odd-couple chemistry of Wotakoi, the "too real!" workplace comedy of Aggretsuko, and a heavy dollop of office steaminess!

    He saved my life. I'll do anything to help him.This wasn't supposed to be the way my life turned out. One bad choice has left me homeless. Now, I'm on the street watching a woman about to get carjacked. Here I go again saving others and losing everything.I just hope she's worth my life.He just took a bullet for me. I have to save his life. I don't care what it costs, this man will not die on me. After all, this is what I trained for. I'm a trauma surgeon and tonight I'm going to use everything I know to make sure this hero lives so I can thank him.She saved my life. Now, she sits at my bedside not knowing who I am. My pride won't let me tell her. It's not like I have a chance. Or do I?Watch these two find love and themselves in this rags to riches Christmas romance novella.  Scroll Up and One Click to start this Christmas romance today.

    A fake fiancé doesn’t count, right? Oh boy . . . Amy Weaver is tired of her dad meddling in her love life. Fed up, she hires an actor to play the part of her fake cowboy fiancé when she goes home for her grandpa’s ninetieth birthday. Sure, Luke Jenkins has got looks, charm, and muscular legs, but this is business, pure and simple. Things are fine and dandy until she finds out he’s a real cowboy, not an actor. Now, she’s stuck between a rock and his chiseled jawline, falling faster than a sack of horseshoes. How the heck is Amy supposed to ignore the sparks between them and stick to her rule of not dating cowboys? All bets are off.

    As she needs the assistance of commoners to achieve this, she gets to work dismantling the wall that exists between them and the nobles. She tours the printing workshops in the Central District, holds a dyeing competition to unearth skilled craftspeople, and even fantasizes about designing her own library.Not everything is quite so straightforward, however—a normal wedding is enshrouded in complex interduchy politics, and as Rozemyne prepares for her second year in the Royal Academy, she finds herself needing to stay on guard against the rebellious former Veronica faction.

    And towards her, her friend, Maya Satō, asks for an advice regarding her Christmas date with Ayanokōji. Furthermore, Ayanokōji himself contacts Karuizawa to ask her for details about Satō!? Those actions of Ayanokōji, are they simply an interest towards the opposite sex or is it so that he can also use Satō?"Oh jeez! What does that guy want?" Right before Christmas, Karuizawa's anxiety could not be appeased.Meanwhile, Ayanokōji is in touch with several people in preparation for the new semester. Honami Ichinose's weak aspect, the darkness involving the new Student Council president Miyabi Nagumo. New information that heralds upcoming tumultuous events――!?

    While in Apple Valley, Florida on business, he meets a woman who manages to capture his attention, and could very well capture his heart. Karena “Kari” Grant is the young, African-American owner of a struggling cleaning service, and the single parent of a precocious fourteen-year-old son. Her world turns upside down when her ex, mob fixer Vito Visconni, returns from a long prison stint vowing to get his family back, and when her son falls prey to an unspeakable horror. Kari turns to Alex for help, and Alex discovers, for the first time in his life, what to love unselfishly looks and feels like. In the first book of the Alex Drakos interracial romance series, Alex and Kari must face down demons that threaten their budding romance, and mobsters and enemies that threaten their very lives.

    But when her best friend and law partner dies suddenly, something snaps. Unsure of her future, Roseanna heads upstate on one tank of gas and with no plans to return.In the foothills of the Adirondacks, Roseanna discovers the perfect hideout in a ramshackle farm. Its seventy-six acres are rich with possibilities and full of surprises, including a mother and daughter squatting on the property. Although company is the last thing Roseanna wants, she reluctantly lets them stay.Roseanna and the young girl begin sculpting junk found around the farm into zoo animals, drawing more newcomers—including her estranged son, Lance. He pleads with Roseanna to return to the city, but she’s finally discovered where she belongs. It may not provide the solitude she originally sought, but her heart has found room for much more.

    It’s where careers go to die. Thelma Bach graduated top of her class after four years at the Galactic Justice academy. But she’s a Rock Sector citizen. The core worlders were never going to let her transcend her background. So she’s been assigned to serve her seven years as a deputy in the Saloon Sector. The message for the Federation’s out-world citizens is clear: you’ll never be our equal, so don’t even try. The stuffy bureaucrats of the Galactic Justice service chose the wrong person to push around. Thelma will subvert her interstellar sheriff, charm artificial intelligences, fight bandits and hunt the legendary Eldorado Cache. But with the frontier region holding secrets of its own, she needs to choose her new allies wisely because a scary, business-suited enemy is hunting her. “Space Deputy” is a fast-paced, offbeat space adventure.

    and the friendship that blossoms between them.There's more to this kitty than meets the eye! Kyuu-chan loves snacks, cuddles, and bow ties, but above all, this mischievous wondercat loves Hinata, the young professional who adopted Kyuu-chan into his home.As the two adjust to life together, they discover that they have a lot to learn from each other.The ordinary and the extraordinary live side by side in this delightful slice-of-life manga!

    Some of it, naturally, is in the genes; but much of it is in the environment, in the circumstances in which we grow up, in the people who come into our lives, even in the air we breathe.Had I grown up in London or Timbuktu, I would have been a different sort of person, I'm sure. My parents (and those before them) made me. But India made me too. The soil, the air, the wind, the rain, the trees, the grass, the proximity of people-all these things made me . . .Different things at different times helped to make the individual that is me, just as different things at different times helped to make you, just as they went into making your brothers and sisters, who are very different from you.'Do I contradict myself? Very well, then, I contradict myself,' said Walt Whitman.Each chapter of this memoir is a remembrance of times past, an attempt to resurrect a person or a period or an episode, a reflection on the unpredictability of life. Some paths lead nowhere; others lead to a spring of pure water. Take any path and hope for the best. At least it will lead you out of the shadows.

    Three very different houses. But which is the happiest home?

     Ignacio Mondelvano is an artist with a secret that could tear them apart. A year ago, shy, quiet Cameron had his trust shattered by a sociopath who used him to gain information on an arson case. Ever since then, Cam’s been keeping the world at arm’s length, and he didn’t start out as the most trusting person to begin with. Then Ignacio Mondelvano saunters into his life. The sexy Spanish painter could have anyone he wants. Much to Cam’s surprise, what Ignacio wants is him. What begins as a bit of harmless fun at a charity bachelor auction soon turns into so much more. But when secrets are revealed and Cam’s trust is shaken, can their love survive? Or has Cam been burned too badly to believe in second chances? This gay romance is approximately 63,000 words. Once Burned is part of Alexa Land’s Firsts and Forever Series, but it can be read as a standalone. Please note: contains explicit sex and is intended for adults only.

    Her brother had been the favored child. Ada had been the only witness to his disappearance. Her life changed the day the police officer assigned to the case made Ada a promise that she’d find Noah Cramer.Dylan Easton had many cases over the course of her career as a detective. She only had one case though that she’d describe as the one she’d never let go. It had started the day she’d made a promise to a fourteen-year-old girl that she’d find her brother.Ten years after Noah’s disappearance, the two women are reunited when a true crime series wants to highlight the anniversary of the missing boy. Ada is now ten years older and still bitter about the way her life had taken a turn that day. Dylan is now a detective on her way to running her own team. When the two women meet up after all these years, there’s an unwanted spark between them that they attempt to deny.A new lead in the case mixed with some startling discoveries has these two women attempting to balance their new and confusing attraction to one another along with the possibility of finding Noah Cramer.

    To Wakana, people like beautiful Marin Kitagawa, a trendy girl who's always surrounded by a throng of friends, is practically an alien from another world. But when cheerful Marin--never one to be shy--spots Wakana sewing away one day after school, she barges in with the aim of roping her quiet classmante into her secret hobby: cosplay! Will Wakana's wounded heart be able to handle the invasion from this sexy alien?!

     After a heavenly visitation, one young wolf turns his back on his pack and on the moon in order to tread a lonesome path. A blaze of stars. A brand of copper. A burden of trust. First of Dogs, he takes a new name, makes peace with group of weary humans, and helps to found the In-between. This is a tale of the Kindred. This is the lore of the Starmark clan. Songs of the Amaranthine is a collection of short stories set in Forthright’s Amaranthine universe. Before the Emergence, the clans were nothing more than whispers and mysteries and legends and lore. But every so often—in out-of-the-way places or shockingly close to home—an unsuspecting person stumbled into a fateful encounter with someone who was decidedly other. An eclectic collection, spanning continents and centuries. Tales of adventure, discovery, friendship, rescue, belonging, and love. Each short story stands alone and can be read in any order.

    However, evil forces lurk in the shadows. When the Wolf Council sanctions Elizabeth as the official Fated Alpha, enemies attack her family, killing her parents. When they discover that Elizabeth survived, she must flee for her life. With nowhere to go, help comes in the form of four sexy and powerful Dragon shifters. The fierce warriors offer her their protection and take her to a world of dragons that she never knew existed. As Elizabeth fights for her place in their world, it becomes clear that all four Dragon shifters crave more from her. All four men desire her. Each wants to claim her body and heart and soul. Can Elizabeth chose between them? Or will Elizabeth be able to keep a hold of all the men who have grown so close to her heart? ***Elizabeth and Her Dragons is Book 1-4 of the Fated Alpha Series. Each book features a paranormal romance, a true reverse harem with one woman and four sexy, demanding and protective shifters.***

    As 'Red' adjusts to life on the farm herding hens, collecting fruit, weeding plants, and running errands, many questions remain: Exactly why is Red here? What's eating at Auntie Ann? And, most pressingly, can a fire-demon cook an egg simply by holding it?

    She has to get back to Boston before her dad loses all common sense and sells the family house. But plane tickets cost money—something Olive gravely lacks.With the help of Brander, the fussy youth group worship leader, and Jazz, a mysterious girl with a passion for all things Hawaiian, Olive lands a summer job at the Shave Ice Shack and launches a scheme to buy a plane ticket home before the end of the summer.But when Jazz reveals a painful secret, Olive’s plans are challenged. Jazz needs money. A lot of it. Olive and Brander are determined to help their friend but, when their fundraising efforts are thwarted, Olive is caught in the middle. To help Jazz means giving up her ticket home. And time is running out.

     There's a new drug on the street. Sigil is dark and deadly…to the paranormal kind, opening up their second sight, urging them to maim, torture, and kill. And the bodies are piling up. Lorn will have to fight to not only find love…but the truth of who she is. Grab this boxset today for only 99 cents and join Lorn as she falls in love with a human, a hellhound, and an archangel.

    2: Hide out in super exclusive Full Immersion Virtual Reality game until the heat is off. 3: Roll a bard. Max out charisma. Live it up. 4: Profit. With all the pesky planning out of the way Daniel set out to realize his ultimate dream: gaining enough money to buy a tropical island and spend his days playing the violin and RPGs. What could possibly go wrong? Disclaimer: There shall be no harems in this series. Overpowered, perfect protagonists will not be tolerated and excessive cursing will result in donations to the swear jar.

    

    For him, the job is a perfect excuse to let his violent instincts run wild, earning him the nickname “the Demon of Sakuragi”. It seems like nothing will stand in the way of his vicious nature.But then one day, he receives an assignment like never before from the boss—babysitting his daughter!This is the heartwarming (or is it bloodcurdling?) story of a little girl and her yakuza caretaker!

    Not quite able to become adults, we couldn’t stay as we were as children, either.Our tale explores a group of teenagers and their impatience and rebirth.“They say if you write down your wish, bury it under Sheep Tower and then dig it up after 7 years and 7 months, your wish will come true…”Tsugu Miikura, a high schooler who loves to play guitar, due to family circumstances, moved away from the rural town where she had spent her childhood. After several years, she’s back in her old hometown. She reunites with her childhood friends—Sora, Yuushin, and Asari—the friends she’d buried a time capsule with back in elementary school. Tsugu is overjoyed to be with her friends once more, but the bonds that she thought would never change have in fact started to grow major cracks...

    But Leon has a secret weapon: he remembers everything from his past life, which includes a complete playthrough of the very game in which he is now trapped. Can Leon spark a revolution to change this new world order?

    So he whisks away lovely Poppy O’Brien, determined to convince her to leave him alone. But what he gets is so much more than he ever bargained for…Ultimate CowboyRancher Brody Bloodworth has spent years blaming himself for his brother’s disappearance. If he hadn’t snuck off to be with Julie Whitehead, everything would have been different—and he wouldn’t have pushed her away. Now Julie is back, an FBI agent with a solid lead on his brother. Before long he finds himself unable to keep his hands off her. As he prepares for a showdown with the ruthless kidnappers, Brody knows what’s at stake if he wins. And just how much he’ll lose if he doesn’t….

    Since its debut in 1978, Garfield has reached historic heights, becoming the world's most widely syndicated strip."From the outset, Garfield established who the real master was in this relationship."--Jim Davis

    Her mama’s antics garner enough attention in their small Southern town for the both of them, but when Rayne catches the eye of all-star QB, Preston Howard, she’s enamored with the possibilities. Too bad Preston doesn’t make her heart thump—but his brother does.Gage Howard doesn’t mind the town’s stares, probably because he doesn’t get them. Growing up in his older brother’s shadow, Gage shrugs off the endless parade of girls Preston brings home—until Rayne.But there are unwritten rules that shouldn’t be broken, like cheating on your boyfriend or betraying your brother. Rayne and Gage deny their growing attraction, neither willing to hurt Preston—until the town finds out.They think overcoming the gossip will be the hardest obstacle. They’re wrong.Rayne’s mama has a secret, and its revelation could divide the town, the families, and the new couple. Can love really exist if it’s all built on a lie?

    You’ll be swept into the Christmas spirit with the endearing stories tucked inside these pages. The storylines range from family to romance to the bond of community, with settings scattered across America and beyond.Behold the beauty of the Savior’s birth with this gathering of stories that warm the soul and bless the heart.

    The mission for the night had been simple: Get kissed. But those vampire fangs had been anything but fake and the next thing I knew, I was writhing on my bedroom floor while the smell of Ma’s kimchi made me sick.Becoming a vampire had never been the plan, but no matter how hard it is to deal with these strange cravings and my second undead family, it's not gonna stop me from living my best…death?This Vampire Diaries meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before paranormal story is the first in a five-book complete series.

    But it's the sunrise that bring the promise of a new beginning. Ty and Jen have been friends for nearly as long as anyone can remember. But when Ty goes off to college and leaves her behind, he has to face the reality that he cares for her as more then just a friend. As graduations approaches and with only one summer left before he begins basic training, Ty must make a decision. Military life is never easy; is it fair to force it on the one he loves? In the midst of wrestling with the question and coming to the realization that summer is quickly drawing to a close, Ty struggles to face questions he cannot answer, and is forced to examine his own heart. Is it possible that God has a future for him with Jen? Or will the summer close with only memories of days gone by? Their relationship would be old fashioned. But that was okay. Because old fashioned and whimsical fit perfectly with a southern summer.

    This book is about you. And about inspiring you. Because whenever we asked Yasmin how she'd like to be remembered after she dies, she'd say that she would like to be remembered for her work. And if people forget who did the work, then it's even better.In here are Yasmin's earliest handwritten thoughts she so generously shared with us (her family and friends) decades before anything came out of it. Tiny sparks of ideas. And bits of her humble, non-film work. "Irritatingly optimistic" was how Yasmin described herself, despite the unspeakably harsh difficulties she lived through. "God blesses each one of us with the same amount of talent, albeit in unique ways — but we need to korek for it" she insists. God willing, this inspires you to korek for what you are specially blessed with. And make the best of it too.

    With Nicola, every day on the road is a new adventure!

    She's spent much of her adult life committed to making sure these curiosities are broadly addressed or, better yet, prevented. In a culture where female sexual empowerment is used to sell everything from sex toys to soap, most early sex ed bypasses pleasure, and women continue to be "slut" or "prude"-shamed. Because of that, determining our own paths and defining what such empowerment really means in our lives is vital. In Girl Boner: The Good Girl's Guide to Sexual Empowerment, August guide readers through just that. A spicy blend of personal narrative, in-depth reporting, and inspiration, Girl Boner is the go-to companion for "good girls" seeking the richer, more authentic, and pleasure-filled lives they deserve through embracing their bodies and sexuality.

    So when she discovers that her world is only one among many, she doesn't hesitate to kick off the dust of her provincial estate. That it gets her away from her oppressive mother and a smothering society is only a bonus. But wonder isn't the only thing waiting for a young woman trying her wings for the first time. When Sediryl finds love among the aliens, she's faced with a difficult choice between duty and her heart's desire. Girl on Fire introduces Sediryl, the woman who will go on to figure so powerfully in the future of the Peltedverse. But before she was a firebrand, she had to be set on fire....

    A camel journalist who passed judgment on carnivores for years spends a life-changing night with a seductive wolf. A crocodile and a gazelle must find a way to work together as chef and assistant on a cooking show with flagging ratings. A fox and a chameleon wrestle with stereotypes about each other—and themselves. And much more…

    That is, until one of his comrades kicked him out. Hoping to live the easy life on the frontier, Red's new goal is to open an apothecary. However, keeping the secret of his former life may not be as simple as he thinks. Especially when the beautiful Rit, an adventurer from his past, shows up and asks to move in with him!

     Mr. Goldson is filthy rich. He’s also callous and cruel and hasn’t got a festive bone in his ancient body. Naturally, he’s due for a holiday haunting. When his business partner, Bolbi Baggs, announces that they’re to be visited by three spirits, Mr. Goldson braces himself for a whirlwind tour of his past, present, and future.Typically, a trio of time-traveling ghosts heralds a heartwarming tale of hope and redemption for the human race. Mr. Goldson, however, isn’t a member of the human race. He’s a Dwarf, and Mr. Baggs is a Halfling, and the adventure that’s about to take them across the enchanted world of Arth is anything but typical. Holiday magic and economic realities collide in A Song of Three Spirits. It’s A Christmas Carol for the 21st century, with a dash of high fantasy. Read this hilarious satire of Charles Dickens’s classic today!

     Bethany An accomplished professional, Bethany has it all: smart, sassy with her own accounting firm, she’s used to dealing with various types of clients. Still, nothing could have prepared her for the day when a shady mob boss walks into her office with the strangest proposition: he wants her to marry one of his men. With no room in in her life for a criminally inclined life partner, Bethany quickly declines. But then, the decision is snatched from her grasp when she suddenly finds herself on the run for her life and Valisy is the only guy who can save her. Valisy Staring at his boss’ accountant off and on for weeks on end is causing a riot in his pants but Valisy knows that Bethany is quite unlike the other women in his life. But when her life is threatened and the only way to protect her Bethany is to marry her, it becomes increasingly harder for Valisy to stay immune to her glorious charms. As the two of them grow closer in the midst of life-threatening dangers, will Valisy be able to keep her safe? ****All books in the Russian Mobster Series series are standalone, full-length steamy romance novels. They can be read in any order and do not contain cliffhangers. HEA is always guaranteed.****

    Or so she thinks. She is awkward, shy, and the farthest thing from any semblance of a society lady. The new minister keeps turning up in the most awkward of places and she can’t help but feel that her life is doomed to one of embarrassment. But will her flaws actually be the thing that others find the most attractive? A story of a young woman with social anxiety and how she learned to bloom.

    His parents are supportive, but they're dealing with problems of their own, and their move to a new home has left Kelly struggling to fit in. Luckily, an outgoing boy named Grey lives next door--and he immediately takes Kelly under his wing. Even if Kelly is about to learn that the world isn't always a kind place, he has his family, Grey, and a motley crew of friends and neighbors behind him...and they know he'll be strong enough to become the man he was meant to be. This LGBT+ slice-of-life comedy/slow-burn romance will charm your socks off, especially for fans of Yotsuba&! and Wandering Son. Follow Kelly and his loved ones as they grow up together! Recommended for 13+ Teen readers due to language.

    To create a new life, he moves them to the city where the sea can be seen, so they can focus only on themselves. They meet Kurebayashi Ryou who runs the local souzaiya. Even though he is the same age as Yuuichi, he is a popular person who has his own shop and is loved by the neighborhood. Taking things day by day, will these three be able to overcome the lingering fears from their pasts?

    A teacher, new to town, is making a difference in the lives of children. A state trooper takes his job seriously and makes a difference every day. April Summers meets widowed Officer Clay Barber in an official capacity when he pulls her over for speeding and she finds out he's the father of two of her students. Before she can stop herself, she gives him a piece of her mind about being an absent father. In response, he writes her a ticket. As these two find a way to work together for the best interest of his children, they learn more about each other. They're drawn to each other more than either wants to give in to. But when they spend a lovely evening together in a special restaurant decorated for a magical Christmas season a relationship buds and blooms. Things are moving fast as April and Clay fall in love. When their love is threatened will they be able to find a way to stay together or will their relationship be cut short? This sweet small town romance is filled with Christmas cheer and clean and wholesome romance. _____ HERO HEARTS is a multi-author series featuring both historical westerns and contemporary Christian romance. Join Annie Boone, Hayley Wescott, Natlie Dean, Cat McGill, Terri Grace, and Kate Cambridge in a world unlike any other; a world where Heroes are honored with unforgettable characters and beautiful, Christian love stories. The authors of this series are committed to writing stories of faith, hope, and love centered in fictional heroes who sacrifice daily to protect and save. A mix of historical and modern-day. **The HERO HEARTS series books can be read in any order.

    Genesius Prep and the Backstagers are back in (stage) blacks for some ROMANTIC adventures in the mysterious world behind the scenes! Featuring bonus tales from a variety of special guests, including Brittney Williams, Caitlin Rose Boyle, Katy Farina, and more! It's the 'seasons of love' for your favorite backstage boys! (No, you can't wear pink backstage. Or red. Or glitter. Or cherub wings, Sasha.)

    Or at least in San Francisco, where Weber stops to see him one last time before settling down to the humble, lonely life he figures a frog like him has coming.Cyrus Benning is a successful neurosurgeon, so details are never lost on him. He spotted the prince in a broken-down bull rider's clothing from day one. But watching Weber walk out on him keeps getting harder, and he’s not sure how much more his heart can take. Now Cyrus has one last chance to prove to Weber that it's not Weber's job that makes him Cyrus's perfect man, it's Weber himself. With the help of his sister's newly broken family, he’s ready to show Weber that the home the man’s been searching for has always been right there, with him. Cyrus might have laid down an ultimatum once, but now it's turned into a vow—he's never going to let Weber out of his life again.

    Weeks. That’s how long Maggie’s been waiting for her best friend and partner in crime, Abby, to come home from Camp Cantaloupe. Half of summer break may have been lost, but Abby is finally heading back! Only when Abby arrives, she’s. . . different. She doesn’t want to play any of their usual epic spy games. All New Abby wants to do is talk about camp things and plan campy activities—she even has the nerve to call Maggie’s massive, award-worthy pillow fort a “cabin.” But at least Abby’s excited to build a “cabin” of her own. And when Maggie discovers that a pillow in the back of her fort mysteriously leads right into Abby’s new one, the two friends are suddenly just an arm’s length away. Soon they’re adding links and building more forts, until Maggie looks behind one pillow too many and finders herself face-to-face with. . . the authorities. Turns out their little pillow fort network isn’t the first to exist. It’s not even the second, or third, or hundredth. A massive network of linked-up pillow and sofa forts already spans the globe, and the kids who run it are not happy with Maggie and Abby. And they are not fooling around. With just three days to pass the North American Founding and Allied Forts Alliance’s outrageous entrance tests or lose the links forever, Maggie and Abby pull out all the stops to try to save their network. But the kids on NAFAFA’s Council have their own agenda, and it just so happens Maggie’s fort might actually hold the key to a mystery that’s gone unanswered for generations. There’s only a little bit of summer left to burn, and Maggie and Abby are determined to win back their pillow fort freedom. But can their mission—and their scrappy homemade network—survive the mission?

    Neil Hudson is sure to have a rotten Christmas.How can he have anything but a rotten Christmas when he's stuck in war-torn Germany away from his family, friends, and all hope of a decent turkey dinner?That's when the Slades come into his life.

    In Bagnold Summer—which The Observer proclaimed “graphic novel of the year,” and which received a Costa Award nomination for best novel—a teenager spends a long summer with his mother, much to his disappointment. Capturing the dynamics of family and growing up, Winterhart captures the ennui, pathos, and affection of the mother-son relationship. In Driving Short Distances—which Zadie Smith declared “created an unforgettable central player, Keith Nutt, who deserves to join Keith Talent in the short but potent list of great British literary Keiths; he is an unforgettable character, beautifully drawn and exquisitely written”—Sam needs a job and purpose, so begins a apprenticeship of sorts in the passenger side of Keith’s car. As Sam learns something about the self-styled big-man Keith, and the humility of everyday living, Winterhat’s pen turns ordinary life into a tableau poignant and comedic.

    As the sole alchemist in town, she could make a killing by brewing and selling potions…but after two hundred years of suspended animation, all she wants to do is relax, take things easy, and live at her own pace!

    Arriving back in town to discover that her father left her a fortune, and that her getting it hinges on her repairing the house she was once abandoned in, throws Amy even further out of her comfort zone. To add to her woes, the trustee of the estate is the woman she left behind, but never forgot. The last thing Faith needs in her life is one Amy Rogers. Amy’s lightning in a bottle, able to make Faith’s good girl ways slip right into bad girl actions. Worse than Amy’s ability to send Faith’s senses reeling is the fact that she once broke Faith’s heart, and then waltzed out of town without a single look back. Amy’s trying to put her life together. Faith’s trying to keep the one she’s made. Amy lives out and proud. Faith’s so in the closet she was once forced to flee town to avoid a wedding that featured her name on the invitations. Neither are sure they can trust the sparks flying between them. Neither knows if those sparks are just remnants of the magic they’d once been together, or the signal fire of a larger flame. They’re pulled together by their shared past and those sparks, but will that attraction between them last? Or will they break each other’s hearts all over again?

    A flash fiction prequel to Martin Hospitality. Can be read in any order.Read for FREE only through subscription to Abigayle Claire's bi-monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/co5SCr

    But when a closer look reveals more than she intended to show, Jake's world is turned upside down. Can he somehow prove to Mel that he's woken up at last, or has he lost the chance forever?A short storyFirst place, Indie E-Con 2018 Writing Contest

    Also, women with all-too-common problems of our age like social network addiction and overwork solve their issues by moving to a different neighborhood. There’s also an article by danchi fan Ken Ohyama. This manga just keeps getting better with every volume!

    For more than a year the comics about two introverted writers were regularly published on the "Latvian Literature" pages on social networks, while this April the printed edition was recognized at the London Book Fair.In the book, the I. goes to a festival, celebrates the summer solstice, joins a gym, dreams and experiences love. The characters of the introverted authors live not only in comics but also in other communication materials of the campaign. They appear on invitations, beer labels and even on the restroom walls at the London Book Fair. "I. and I. personify all those peculiarities and characteristics which were previously considered to be shameful and better to hide. Through the self–irony and honesty they have become relatable and give the introverts a reason to be proud of themselves. In my opinion, it is spectacularly wonderful. And the world appreciates that as well," says Una Rozenbauma, the creative director of the "#iamintrovert" campaign.

    Her indignation faded as her mouth dropped open and her eyes slowly grew round.He continued, “I have been trying to seduce you for over two years; ever since I first brought up the idea of our having a book club together.”Words: 11686

    When young Bobby Nicholson's new puppy lives up to his name, it causes quite a stir in their little country church–in more ways than one!

    Archie expects this to do very well as a full-color 416-page $9.99 volume. It is the third in a three-part series, joining Fall 2017's GOLDEN AGE volume and Spring 2018's SILVER AGE.The Awesome Eighties: Ever timeless, Archie and his friends came along for the ride, engaging both the energy and excitement of the times with their unique brand of humor, as only they could! Journey back with us now in this eagerly anticipated volume. Experience the punk movement as it shakes up Riverdale! Relive the Urban Cowboy craze! Behold the rise of MTV! Witness the emergence of preppie, new wave and Flashdance fashions! Play along with Trivial Pursuit! Gaze at the popular '80s movies and TV shows! Boogie with Archie and the gang at the roller disco and laugh again at the antics of America's #1 teenagers!The Nifty Nineties: Whether getting tangled up in the eternal love triangle, running afoul of parents and teachers, or simply surfing the day away on the internet, Archie and his friends scaled new heights of hilarity! Now you can revisit these timeless tales as they endure one outlandish mishap after another and enjoy the fads and fashions of the decade. So rock out to the sensational sounds of boy bands, chow down with the fat free dessert craze, and hook up your satellite dish so you can enjoy purple dinosaurs, funny home videos, teens from Beverly Hills and more!It's all here and then some in this uproarious edition chock full of comedy classics!

    Especially when he meets Jon and Jack. But something seems wrong. Is there anything Richard can do to help make Christmas special for his new friends?

    Despite that dull looking generic face of his, this person is quite popular with all of the beauties in school. Of course, in the same fashion as the dense Main Character-kun spoken of in the ancient legends, this person is completely oblivious to all of their feelings… As his best friend, I’ve always tried to play matchmaker and help sort out his complicated love life, but that all changed on that one fateful afternoon… Eh?! What do you mean I’ve suddenly became a cute girl overnight?! Eh?! What do you mean this idiot would rather spend time with me than go out with them?! Shintaro Mofujin’s debut fluffy romantic comedy series about a dense harem protagonist and his best friend turned into a beautiful girl starts now!

    Snyder is back with a dozen chilling, thought-provoking tales of Lovecraftian horror, dark science fiction, and weird fantasy. Her previous two collections received Bram Stoker Awards and this one offers the same high-caliber, trope-twisting prose. Snyder effortlessly creates memorable monsters, richly imagined worlds and diverse, unforgettable characters.Open this book and you'll find a garden of stories as dark and heady as black roses that will delight fans of complex, intelligent speculative fiction.

    He set aside their shared passion, comic art, and hasn’t looked back. As an introvert from the other side of town, he fully expects to spend his boring life bagging groceries until, maybe one day, he’s promoted to store manager. Yet, his two best friends, Kasey and Stuart, are different. They’re not afraid to demand more out of everyone. When Kasey comes out, Jeremy’s inspired. He picks up his colored pencils and starts drawing comics again, creating a no-nonsense, truth-talking character named Penny Kind. Who speaks to him. Literally. The friend group set in motion Stuart’s plans for a huge Homecoming prank, and if they can get Penny’s comic trending, they might be able to pull it off. Could this be a stepping-stone to a future Jeremy’s only dreamed of? And after he kisses a boy at a college party, will Jeremy finally face what he’s been hiding from?

    Why should he when he home has been vandalized? Things change, however, when Sergeant Sinclair steps in with a 4th of July celebration to remember.

    But when his teacher insists that he put schoolwork above everything else, his heart is torn. Is personal ambition worth the cost to his family? Or does a better lesson await beyond the pages of his schoolbooks?A short story

    She was born with a taste for alcohol and good food, so every night she searches for a good place to enjoy her meals alone. Perhaps she will sit next to you tonight?These popular shorts featuring the solo heavy drinker have been successfully turned into an anime and a drama!

    Legend says that the Dutch are direct. Chad may be a bit more direct. A joyous romp through the world's most diverse city. Beyond the superficiality of weed and hookers lies a story like no other. 'Chad in Amsterdam' combines humor, sociology, anecdotes, art, and the unexpected into a lovely mélange of Amsterdam-related idiosyncrasies.Featuring an international cast of incredible artists (Kim Demåne, Jared Boggess, Bas Schippers, Boyane, Denis Galocha, EKS Graphics, and Dotsy. All stories are written by Chad Bilyeu.

    Until his death, he never had a relationship.Yu Qing Huan didn’t want to be a money making machine in his current life. He wanted to travel to the best place, see the best scenery, eat the best food and then find the best man to live a happy life together.Hou Qu is a genius savant who can easily learn chemical formulas just by glancing at them. One day, he gets lost in the busy streets and Yu Qing Huan helps him.Little does Yu Qing Huan know that his wish to stay out of the limelight may not ever be granted as he had unknowingly been locked on by a hungry wolf hidden in the shadows because of his single act of kindness…

     But upon moving out, hidden amongst his things were two of the catgirls, Chocola and Vanilla, that the family had been raising. When he tried to send them back, they begged and pleaded until he gave in and now they've opened La Soleil together. With two catgirls who really, REALLY love their master trying their very best and occasionally failing -- a heartful comedy opens for business! Based on the best selling Visual Novel by NEKO WORKs and adapted by Tam-U, the NEKO PARA Manga is a whole new way to enjoy life in cat paradise!

    Then a new friend enters their life, and Rinnah begins to make some important discoveries. Join young Rinnah as she records in her diary the events leading up to the happiest day of her life.

    The Petigru Review is the annual literary journal of the South Carolina Writers Association (formerly South Carolina Writers Workshop).

    It was supposed to be about satisfying the desire for vengeance.The main character, also named Shi Jin, was the sixth son of his harem-novel-protagonist-like father. All was well—while his father was alive. But after his death, Shi Jin’s five elder half-brothers tormented him, eventually leading to his death. The protagonist was reborn, determined to take revenge, and… the novel was discontinued.That day, Shi Jin almost spat blood and dropped the book into a shredder. The next day, he died in a car accident. Somehow, when he came to, he had transmigrated into a teenager, a youth also called Shi Jin.There was only one problem. His father had just died. His older brothers were about to torment him…Shi Jin: Let’s eliminate my brothers’ hatred, my goal is to keep my life!

    What is the antidote to this poison? How do you release this antidote and walk in its power to set you free? This inspiring and powerful brand-new book will reveal to you the number one cure for pain and unhappiness. As you apply the teaching in this book, it will increase your faith to help you receive healing for whatever disease or sickness you may be facing, and empower you to bring healing to others as well! This book is a must for every Jesus follower, and will set you free from pain and unhappiness.

    Amber has developed an intense rivalry with an online character named Khaine who has done nothing but torment her. If Amber is going to win the tournament, she’s going to have to confront her biggest fears and her newfound rival!

    But Elma works to... eat! Elma is a Harmony Dragon who came to the human world to bring fellow dragon Tohru back home. In order to stay close to Tohru, Elma has taken a job as an office lady (OL). This charming new series from the world of Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid follows the 9-to-5 adventures of Elma as she learns to work and eat her way through the OL life. From mixed-up mixers to death marches, Elma learns that being an OL is just as hard as being a dragon...

    Will spring ever come? Mrs. Wilkinson and her granddaughter find spring in a basket of daffodils. But what will they do with them?

    "Faithful is He that promised." Mary Louise McKinley clings to that promise as January brings the start of a new life to her.

    Then a thunderstorm sent Lu Lin to an unfamiliar ancient era. Lu Lin was reborn as a young man with the same name and surname as himself, and he was about to be married to a fierce Bio who goes up the mountain to fight tigers.Adjusting to ordinary farming, not a long story.Note: In this story, “Bios” typically have manly features and a birthmark shaped like a flower on their forehead. They are not as tall as men and they are able to bear children, but childbirth is more difficult than it is for women.

    But will Santa come this year? After all, the crops had failed this summer and they were on short commons. When their town neighbors, the Ralstons ask to take refuge overnight at the Joseph's on Christmas Eve, they make a shakedown bed in front of the fire. But what will become of the big bundle of gifts they carried in with them?

    Her deception works for almost a decade, but she knows that eventually she’s going to need to find a way to procure an heir.Lady Margaret ‘Maggie’ Clayton is in trouble; her fiancé has been killed, leaving her pregnant and unwed. If society finds out, she’ll be ruined. When the Duke of Ashebourne learns Maggie’s secret and reveals her own, the two women hatch a plan that may solve both of their problems: the ultimate marriage of convenience.

    As a financial adviser, he gets paid to keep his clients in the black. But when it comes to his personal life, he’s always in the red until he meets the attractive, spirited and tenacious Shawn. From the onset, Martin senses they’ve met somewhere before, although it’s an impossibility due to their age difference. However, the more time they spend together, the more Martin wonders if what he feels is real or déjà vu.

    All selections have been chosen and narrated by LibriVox volunteers to commemorate Christmas 2018. It contains:Babouscka by Adelaide Skeel, Read by Maria KasperBarring Out of Schools by John Ashton, Read by MichaelMaggsBonhomme Noel by Anonymous, Read by BettyBThe Cave of Mystery by Anonymous, Read by MichaelMaggsA Christmas-Eve Suit by Edward P. Roe, Read by LikeManyWatersA Christmas Guest by Selma Lagerlöf, Read by Maria KasperChristmas in England by Washington Irving, Read by Garth BurtonChristmas Trees by Robert Frost, Read by NemoA College Santa Claus by Ralph Henry Barbour, Read by Donald CummingsDulce Domum, from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, Read by Nan DodgeIn the Workhouse: Christmas Day by George R. Sims, Read by NemoMy Christmas Party, from Annals of a Quiet Neighbourhood by George MacDonald, Read by Devorah AllenOla, or, A Christmas Present for Mother by John D MacDonald, Read by a group of Librivox VolunteersOld Christmastide by Sir Walter Scott, Read by Tomas PeterPeace on Earth by Edwin Arlington Robinson, Read by NemoPort in a Storm by George MacDonald, Read by Devorah AllenRound About Our Coal Fire by Anonymous, Read by MichaelMaggsThe Same Old Christmas Spirit by Ralph Bergengren, Read by Devorah AllenA Scene of Medieval Christmas by John Addington Symonds, Read by Tomas PeterA Simple Bill of Fare for a Christmas Dinner by Helen Hunt Jackson, Read by Maria KasperThe Star by Florence Morse Kingsley, Read by Tomas PeterThurlow's Christmas Story by John Kendrick Bangs, Read by Colleen McMahonThe Christmas Pie by Anonymous, Read by BettyBCast of Ola, or A Christmas Present for Mother: Alta Good: Devorah AllenHenry Good: TJ BurnsLeon Good: Tomas PeterMrs. Good: Maria KasperOla: Jasmin SalmaNarrator: Foon

    Heather Stillufsen's heartwarming words and wishes capture the joy, wonder, and magic of the season.You'll be inspired to reflect on days gone by, look to the future with hope, and keep the holiday spirit in your heart all year through.

    He decides to pursue a relationship with Aiden and in the process makes unforgettable friendships. However, his impact on the group dynamic creates a rippling effect that changes everything.

    In order to enjoy his second shot, God bestows upon him the almighty farming tool! Watch as Hiraku digs, chops, and ploughs in another world in this laidback farming fantasy.

    Even if my age and position have changed, my feelings for you will never change! A romantic comedy featuring four couples who've been reincarnated, having been given a second chance at love after being driven apart the first time around.

    We all want long, healthy, happy, and productive lives.  What are the spiritual principles and ancient wisdoms needed to achieve this? A Tao Grandmaster distills the essential knowledge from thousands of years of sages and introduces powerful new insights and accessible practices to help you achieve longevity and even move in the direction of immortality, while never losing sight of the true purpose of our existence.  How can longevity be best attained? Is immortality possible? What is the true reason we should want longevity, and even to strive for immortality? How can we do it? The spiritual principles and practical techniques from thousands of years of ancient wisdom, together with powerful new insights and a "how to" practice that will actually yield results, are distilled into this book. Very few will actually attain immortality, but in following the principles and practices in this book, every aspect of life will benefit.

    Seeking direction for his life, he has no idea how the trip could possibly show him the way to go.

    Nations fall into chaos. Disease, poverty and misery take over the industrial states. But an even greater threat lurks in the dark: in the heat of the summer it spreads through a society that is already at the edge of the abyss. Surrounded by chaos, daily life goes on for a family caught in the pull of the apocalypse. The first volyme of the post-apocalyptic series contains: Issues 1-3

    But a visit to Grandma's attic brings to life a tradition long forgotten. Will this be enough to turn tears into praise?

    Something is wrong between them. Will their day together be spoiled, or can an elderly friend's accident save the day?Winter is Past – Cloudy, dreary day. Will spring ever come? Mrs. Wilkinson and her granddaughter find spring in a basket of daffodils. But what will they do with them?Happy Day – Rinnah and her daddy have always done just fine alone together. Then a new friend enters their life, and Rinnah begins to make some important discoveries. Join young Rinnah as she records in her diary the events leading up to the happiest day of her life.Even the Beasts – When Harold Manning's trip to town is delayed because of a mountain lion's visit, he and his wife must trust that all things–even beasts–were meant to praise the Lord.His Mighty Acts – With the second World War still raging, Mrs. Lydia Newham plans to spend her anniversary alone. But her son, James, has other plans. So does someone higher up.Honor All Men – Devin Moreland doesn't smile. Why should he when his home has been vandalized? Things change, however, when Sergeant Sinclair steps in with a 4th of July celebration to remember.The Way to Go – On his mother's advice, Hugh joins a hiking trip into the mountains. Seeking direction for his life, he has no idea how the trip could possibly show him the way to go.Faithful – When young Bobby Nicholson's new puppy lives up to his name, it causes quite a stir in their little country church–in more ways than one!Give Attendance – Harvey wasn't interested in books and didn't read anymore, so inheriting a library from his great uncle was definitely not a dream come true. His only desire was to get rid of it quickly–until a rainy afternoon exploring his uncle's apartment made him reconsider.Heritage of Praise – With the loss of her mother just before Thanksgiving, Marilyn feels anything but in a grateful mood. But a visit to Grandma's attic brings to life a tradition long forgotten. Will this be enough to turn tears into praise?Unto Him – When 10-year-old Richard discovers a family has moved into the empty house in the neighborhood, he is excited. Especially when he meets Jon and Jack. But something seems wrong. Is there anything Richard can do tho help make Christmas special for his new friends?

    But what can she do to help them?A short story.

    Behind the keyboard, Amber is very extroverted with a snarky attitude; however, when out in public, she is very introverted and suffers from a severe case of social anxiety. One day, she encounters a player by the name of Khaine that shows just how complacent she has become. She develops a rivalry with Khaine but what happens when the two of them meet in real life?