My job wasn’t quite done, yet. I still had to make Luchi and Luna something to eat before it was time for us to call it a night. I had worked a twelve-hour shift at Thornton’s. I was thankful when seven o’clock hit. Thanks to my sister and granny, I had a great support system for the twins. Their father hasn’t been much of any help since I got pregnant at seventeen. I wasn’t pressuring my kids’ father Lance to help too much with them, because anytime he came around, he was a huge pain in my ass. The only good thing that came out of me and Lance’s relationship were Luchi and Luna. I was a single mother, struggling, but by the grace of God, I always found a way to get by. I lived in a three-bedroom house, thanks to being on section 8, I got a decent amount in food stamps, although I worked like a slave at Thornton’s, and I’ve had the same Blue Toyota Camry since I was seventeen, but it was getting me and my babies where we needed to go, so I couldn’t complain. “Are you tired, mama?” Luna asked, climbing in my bed. My eyes were getting heavy, but I needed to make sure my babies were straight before I could close them. “Yes, my Luna, my feet are killing me, but it’s all worth it knowing, I can buy you everything you need.” I tickled Luna’s belly. “Mama, while you're in here playing with Luna, I’m in the other room hungry.” Luchi said, walking into my room. It was clear to me he had an attitude. “Luchi, your hot dogs are on the stove now.” I explained to my child, as if he was my parent and not the other way around. “Hot dogs? You’re not going to fry me some chicken?” “No, Luchi, I’ve been standing on my feet all day. I’m tired. I’m off tomorrow. I promise to make you a nice meal. Tonight, it’s chili dogs on the menu.” “Man, okay.” Luchi climbed into my bed with an attitude. “Mama, can we watch Home?” Luna asked, curling up under me, resting her head on my breasts. “Naw, man, I’m tired of watching that movie. That’s all you want to watch.” Luchi yawned, curling under me as well. “Sorry, Luna, I agree with your brother. Let’s give Home a rest tonight.” “Okay.” Luna pouted. Kissing her forehead, I took in my kids’ features, and my babies looked nothing like me. Everything about them screamed Lance. My skin was the color of a Hershey bar, but the twins inherited their daddy's light-skinned complexion. Luna had long curly hair that I often styled in a bun on the top of her head. My baby had the most beautiful smile that could melt even the coldest heart. My Luchi was the most handsome little boy I had ever laid eyes on. I knew he would break many of hearts one day. Although I struggled day-to-day, I made sure my kids never went without, and I made sure their wardrobe was the latest. At six, Luchi already thought he was a trendsetter. I kept his curly fro tapered on the side. My handsome baby rocked a big diamond in his ear. Luchi's vision wasn’t quite a hundred percent, so he wore glasses. At first, he hated the thought of wearing glasses until I bought him a pair of Ray Bans. I didn’t have much in this world, but my twins were everything to me. Watching the twins sleep peacefully under me, my eyes slowly closed. Sliding myself and the twins under my cover, I tried to get as comfortable as possible in my bed, the best way I could with my two little tiny monsters glued to me.

    

    

    A monster, responsible for unspeakable acts, not limited to this world. Set in the aftermath of September 11th, the city of Chicago feels a sense of impending danger, fearing a similar tragedy could occur. A fast paced horror odyssey, which all begins on Halloween.Part of a series of interconnected horror novels that can be read in any order. Each book serves as a stand alone story, yet builds a greater picture behind a sinister mystery in Chicago.

    

    For one thing she didn't knit and for the other...well being single probably discounted her from the love category too. But a free holiday is a free holiday and it's the perfect escape from her lacklustre life.Michela didn't think she'd be returning home to Italy so soon, a new job at her cousin's restaurant on the harbour of Positano was a dream gig, miles away from the grey London clouds. This time though, she vowed not to fall into old habits, Stefano was the past and now her future in her old hometown beckoned.But under the Italian skies a whole host of possibilities await and maybe happy-ever-after is just a plane-ride away...

     As the last of the summer sun falls across the broken and bloodied fields of Flanders, the British soldiers grimly press their attacks against the German defences. Despite the savage fighting that has ravaged the land, the infantry and guns grind their way forward, pushing the worn and battered German defenders relentlessly back. As the summer fades into autumn, the British are poised to strike. Then, the weather breaks and the rains return. For Harry and his section the battle ahead will be an indescribable horror, a bitter and violent fight against the weather and the German defenders who lie ready to stubbornly resist the next attack. Amongst the seas of mud, Harry and his section will battle for their lives as they struggle towards the Passchendaele Ridge.

    Plato isn’t an ordinary cat. He’s a magical lynx with extraordinary powers.When a series of dangerous activities break out in a small city in Mexico, is it by design that the magical creature is present? Is Plato really coordinating everything?Plato isn’t the only one staying in this Mexican city or at the boutique hotel. Other magical creatures are working to stop the bad guys.That’s what Beaufonts and their sidekicks do.Can Plato, a dragon, and a talking squirrel save this coastal city?Scroll up and grab your copy of The Mysterious Plato, the first short story in this Beaufont collection, to find out.

    What will happen with Tru and the baby? Will she tell Sincere about their daughter or will he find out on his own? With new significant others in the picture and drama in the streets, will Tru and Sincere finally get it together? Or will they keep running away from the love that they both share? Follow them as they struggle with love and trust.

    Just a few months after their wedding, and a few weeks after running a 10K, a rare autoimmune disease landed Joclyn in the hospital with a failing heart. Enduring four open heart surgeries, rounds of experimental chemotherapy, a punctured lung, a lost voice, a pacemaker, an unsympathetic nurse, bedpans, and legitimately gruesome hospital food, it seemed the bad news would never end. But with the help of a top-notch medical team, supportive and loving friends and family, courage, a will to live, and a desire to just go home, they learned the true value of love, hope and life. Joclyn, an occupational therapist, Jeremy, a public school administrator, live in Sacramento, California with their dog, Ramsay. Their experience received national attention and helped facilitate legislative reform surrounding “surprise medical bills,” out-of-network bills received when a patient has done everything he possibly can to remain in-network.

    Races operating within their own planetary systems are to be left alone until they begin to develop the ability to travel at FTL (faster than light speeds). When the ability to travel at FTL becomes apparent, one of the members of the Federation is nominated to help ease the newcomer through the Galactic citizenship process. Unfortunately, not all the galaxies systems belong to the Federation, and some of those systems are much less than friendly. The last several decades have seen the development of war like societies that systematically loot developing planets. They take the water, and other precious resources, including slaves, leaving the remaining native inhabitants a barren planet. Without resources the population simply dies a slow death. The Egolari are here because we, meaning the people of Earth, happen to possess a skill set and an aptitude that is critical to the needs of the Federation. The major problem within the Federation is that virtually all the members have, for centuries been living in peace. They have developed a society that is not well suited to counter the growing violence presented by the nonaligned races. In short, they have no way to protect themselves, let alone protect the fledgling races just arriving on the galactic scene. Enter Earth. Of all the emerging races to become future galactic members, one has a superior potential to face the violence threatened by the nonaligned races. You guessed it, Humanity. The Federation realized that to continue to function as an organized galactic society, they would have to develop a military arm that could provide the Federation and emerging systems the protection of a fleet of space vessels and marines. Humanity was the race most capable of leading the development of that military organization because we had not progressed so far that our war like tendencies had begun to erode. Although we were not yet ready for galactic membership, we were a necessity that could fill the need, thus we were getting a crash course in how to travel the galaxy, protecting ourselves and the Federation with the full expectation that we would go where no human has gone before, and kick some alien ass.

    But she has good reason to keep them separate.For single mum Maddie, home is a flat on a run-down estate. And family consists of an excitable toddler, a lonely Dad and a younger brother mired in a love triangle.Meanwhile, professional Madeleine balances a tricky day job, made worse by a jealous colleague. No one at work knows about her other life, and she needs to keep it this way: one of the bosses has made his feelings very clear about single parents and the people on her estate.Thank goodness for her fun-loving and loyal friends - although Maddie wishes they’d believe her when she insists she has no time for love. Or so she tells herself as she fights to quell her hidden feelings for her gorgeous colleague, Oliver, who comes from the posh part of town.But when her friends line up their ideal man for her – Sean, more beanstalk than Bean – Maddie wishes she’d told them the truth. Because it’s hard enough juggling two lives. Add any more complications and Maddie’s carefully constructed world is going to come crashing down.

    It's a place where folks embrace what matters most in life -- love, family, community.... Christmas to the Rescue! Librarian Becca James, on the mend from a tragic loss, finds hope -- and the promise of romance -- when an adorable rescue dog leads her on the Christmas adventure of a lifetime! A Very Cookie Christmas Busy, overworked Clara Cane finds her organizing skills put to the test when her most demanding client shows up in town -- and her high-school crush stirs up feelings she thought she'd long since moved past.... Sweet Apple Christmas Cafe owner Holly Snow makes the best scones in town and accepts her single status -- until a handsome orchard owner walks in and sparks begin to fly.... Christmas Romance in Heartsprings Valley: Holiday Collection, Books 1-3 This special Christmas box set includes the first three books in the Heartsprings Valley Sweet Romance series:Christmas to the Rescue! (Book 1)A Very Cookie Christmas (Book 2)Sweet Apple Christmas (Book 3) It's Always Christmas in Heartsprings Valley!

     The Cosy Cottage Café is at the heart of the picturesque English village of Heatherlea. Through summer, autumn, winter and spring, café owner Allie Jones and her friends, Dawn, Camilla and Honey, share their hopes and dreams, ups and downs, and a few surprises along the way. Join them at The Cosy Cottage Café and enjoy this bestselling series. ** PLEASE NOTE: THE FOUR STORIES WERE PREVIOUSLY RELEASED AS SINGLE TITLES. **

    Disillusioned after hitting a rough patch in life, she wants to do something that changes the world for the better. If only she could figure out what that was...Corina Garces is the youngest CEO in the history of Garcorps International. She’s driven, opinionated, and one of the most eligible bachelorettes in the world. But she’s not looking for a relationship...at least not until she meets Sunny.The attraction is instant, but both women have their secrets. Will they be able to find their way back to each other when the rest of the world threatens to tear them apart?