Leah Miller struggles to ignore her mother’s hints about her impending nuptials to David Raber. She knows their mothers had planned their wedding since the day they were born, but Leah is having doubts. David has tried his best to be everything his parents and his bishop want him to be, but he still isn’t happy. Now with the arranged marriage hanging over his head, it’s time for David to decide what he wants from life, and suddenly he’s not so sure it’s living the Amish way. Eli King inherited a farm from his father. Although he isn’t wealthy, he gets by. He’s had his eye on Leah Miller for years but doesn’t seem to have the courage to take it any further. When a mutual friend sets them up, the connection is instant, until Eli learns she’s betrothed to another. How can Leah marry one man while in love with another? Can David stand up to his parents and his bishop and do what his heart asks of him? How long will Eli be patient before he finally steps away from a future with Leah?

    IT MAKES YOU UNLOCK THE FORCES THAT PUTS YOU PERMANENTLY IN CHARGE.

    The clock finally displayed the numbers that she’d been anticipating. Tossing the covers back from the bed, Bella rose. Reaching into her nightstand, she grabbed the tightly sealed envelope and shut the drawer back. Grabbing the baby monitor, Bella made her way to the bathroom –her favorite place. Closing the door behind her, Bella locked it and slid down to the floor. Laying on the plush rug that she’d had RahMeek to have special ordered, she relaxed. Tearing the envelope open, Bella began to read the words that her husband had written. The very first paragraph warmed her beating heart. Dear Bella, I just wanted to start by saying that I love you, Bells. You’ve changed a nigga. It’s not everyday that I meet a woman as super as yourself. When I think of you, peace overcomes me. You’re everything that I could’ve dreamt of in a wife. I can honestly say that you’ve changed me, baby. Each day I thank God that he created you, love. Cause without my sunshine, there would be no Reign. That was mad corny, huh? Let me get off of this mushy tip and get to the real. Come ride with a nigga…

    His journey leads him to a big city, to a dark cave in the forest, to the sea and tothe desert. Always being curious, he encounters many different people and many different stories…‘Sometimes you simply have to find the courage to take the first step.’To choose a direction. To make a decision. And then to stop thinking and simply start.

    

    Luckily, Namiko and Kiyuki get recruited to work for one of Detroit's finest, Maximilian Davis. Although only in it for the money at first, Namiko finds herself slowly becoming involved with the boss. She and Max come from two different worlds, but are trying to see eye to eye on the subject of love; much to the dismay of many people in the city. Even the people closest to Namiko and Max, feel themselves becoming filled with jealousy, and losing sight of the initial goal. Namiko soon becomes overwhelmed by all the backlash, danger, secrets, and side chicks, that seem to be a package deal when it comes to Maximilian. Will Namiko be able to stick it out with her man? Or will their love end up being only a sweet memory? To many women that are on the outside looking in, being married to a thug of Max's caliber, equals expensive bags, shoes, and vacations. Follow Namiko Allen, and find out what it really mean's to be married to a thug.

    It also inspired us to come out with a delightful article, the ‘Indian Masketeers’, exploring Indian culture through its various masks. We also have ‘Dotty and the Albino Dragon’, the First Prize winning story in the Tinkle Original Story Competition. Moving on, we have three popular characters this issue, Shikari Shambu, Kalia the Crow and the Defective Detectives. Shambu goes on a rollicking ‘Jumbo Adventure in Assam’ while the Defective Detectives have a spine-chilling experience in ‘The Horror’. As for Kalia, can you imagine him, Chamataka and Doob Doob playing together? If you can’t, you should check out ‘Let’s Play a Game’. Next, enjoy a fun story by a reader, ‘Show Business’ in our Fan Fiction segment along with ‘Pranav’s Dadi and the Karate Kid’, where Dadi tries her hand at karate! And to wrap it up we have two diverse stories about two brave men who refused to give up. So check out ‘A Mighty Will’ and ‘No Crazy Ideas’. Enjoy!

    Any woman in their right mind would be attracted to the tall, dark, talented and sexy Mr. Jones. So what was JaNair’s problem? Jerome Hayes, JaNair’s newest love and current boyfriend, has been sweeping her off of her feet since the day they met. Already feeling that JaNair is the one for him, Jerome plans to do any and everything to keep her in his life; even if it means keeping secrets and lying to the woman he loves.When shit starts to hit the fan, truths are exposed and lies are revealed. Will the shoulder Semaj lends for tears turn into the shoulder JaNair bites into when he shows her pleasures she’s never known? Find out what the next man is willing to do, when bae won't.

    I loved it!" Howard Rosenberg -- Pulitzer Prize winning former Los Angeles Times columnist and author.Brooke Jones, Breast Cancer Warrior, Political Satirist, and former star of San Francisco and Los Angeles radio died...but her death was short-lived. 8 minutes passed here on Earth while she was busy being dead, but she wasn't on Earth -- she was at Heaven's Front Door, having a Question and Answer Session with God!"What is the meaning of life?" "What religion is God?" "Is God male or female?" Brooke asked every question she could think of, and God provided the answers. The first thing she learned was that God has a sense of humor! (Well of course God has a sense of humor -- have you ever seen a Platypus?)Was she returned to the Land Of The Living because of the startling final question she asked? Did all that she experienced really happen, or was it just the hallucination of a dying brain? She didn't know, until...she was given proof - absolute proof - proof she could not possibly deny!'Why Are There Monkeys? (and other questions for God)" is the absolutely TRUE, INSPIRATIONAL, laugh-out-loud FUNNY story of one woman's Near-Death Question and Answer Session with God. "By God, Brooke Jones is a hell of a writer!" Ben Fong-Torres -- former Editor of Rolling Stone Magazine."Delightful, insightful, spiritual, and startlingly funny! It left me, an atheist, more of a believer than I was before. I loved every minute of it!" Ray Richmond -- former columnist with The Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety, Orange County Register, LA Herald-Examiner.

    Into an engrossing mystery, Dickens weaves a heartfelt inquiry into morals and virtues – as the orphan Pip, the convict Magwitch, the beautiful Estella, the bitter Miss Havisham, the goodhearted Biddy, the kind Joe and other memorable characters entwine in a battle of human nature.Rick Geary's delightful illustrations capture the newfound awe and frustrations of young Pip as he comes of age, and begins to understand the opportunities that life presents.

    When Susan L. Taylor rose to editor in chief of Essence magazine more than a decade ago, she began writing an editorial column in which she shares her thoughts and feelings about how developing one's inner awareness ensures the wisdom and clarity needed to create a deeply satisfying and fulfilling life.The monthly column called "In the Spirit" is one of the most popular in the magazine.Susan L. Taylor connects with the reader in a personal and meaningful way, in a voice that is sisterly, informed, and motivating. She challenges her readers to transcend their fears, to face inevitable challenges in their lives courageously, and to use change as an opportunity to grow. "We limit ourselves because change may well mean dealing with the disapproval of the very people we rely on for support. Often words of inspiration and motivation, but she also suggests specific methods for working through problems and improving our emotional and spiritual health."We are not powerless spectators of life. We are co-creators with God, and all around is are the gifts, the clay, that we can use to shape our world," she says.Susan L. Taylor writes passionately about what she has seen and learned in the course of her travels throughout the United States, Caribbean, and Africa. Her essays have helped many to balance the demanding world of work and business with the personal world of family and friendship. She shares bits of her own life--her loves, her trails, and triumphs--and the lessons she's learned.Many of Susan L. Taylor's readers already collect her editorials and find in them a source of encouragement, self-affirmation, empowerment, and peace of mind. Now they can have new essays and a few previously published favorites elegantly bound in a gift-sized paperback edition to keep for themselves or to give as a gift of love to those who are special to them.

    

    Even though the ladies have been through hell and back with their boyfriends, they’ve always stood by their men.Hennessey and Desmond tried so hard to let go of the Hood life, but thirsty women and money hungry niggas would not let them fully leave the streets. They both are now on a haunting spree to find Stacy who is on the run after shooting Jessica and leaving her for dead. The surprises that come with Stacy will have the men questioning if touching her in any way is even possible.Keice is keeping a horrible secret from her sister while trying her best to live with it, and not sell her boyfriend out. If she tells Tara that Hennessey killed Ricky the entire family would go down for good. However, here is just one question…Is Keice more loyal to her sister or her man?”Things seem to be crumbling right before their eyes. Will Hennessey move on, or will he try to work it out with the girl who has stuck it out with him through all the BS?This juicy finale is filled with so much drama, action, betrayal, love, and lust. Will things stay the same or will love eventually prevail?

    

     Did you know that 40% of bariatric surgery patients regain weight within 5 years of having weight loss surgery? When it comes to long-term weight-loss surgery success, you've got to get a handle on your emotions and motivation. The food will always be there, and it’s not about knowing WHAT to eat, but instead, transforming your relationship with food. This is why conquering your MINDSET is essential. If you are not in the right head-space, you can slide backward and enter the danger zone of regaining weight. Unfortunately, the cravings, emotional impulses, and habits to eat whatever and whenever still pop up after surgery. Even with the knowledge of what to eat, you will also need to learn how to manage yourself and your mindset around food. Fancy meal plans won’t help you if you haven’t tackled the most difficult part of having weight loss surgery; your brain! After investing so much time to get your body where you want it, is having the wrong mindset worth the risk of sabotaging all you've worked hard to achieve? In Bariatric Mindset Success, you will be guided by Kristin, a professional psychotherapist and a successful gastric sleeve post-op patient through her most coveted weight loss surgery success strategies. She’ll guide you through the WLS basics as well as advanced mindset, motivation, and emotional techniques to help you stay focused and on track through the ups and downs of life. You’ll gain practical tools and techniques to create lifestyle habits that keep you focused on WLS success for life, not just in the short term. Also, she gives you tools to handle friendships and relationships after weight loss surgery in addition to giving you a compass for living your best life, beyond the weight loss. Ready to get started? Scroll up to the top of the page and click on the “Add to Cart” button.