But what were and are the true potentates of our planet? Insects, says Scott Richard Shaw—millions and millions of insect species. Starting in the shallow oceans of ancient Earth and ending in the far reaches of outer space—where, Shaw proposes, insect-like aliens may have achieved similar preeminence—Planet of the Bugs spins a sweeping account of insects’ evolution from humble arthropod ancestors into the bugs we know and love (or fear and hate) today. Leaving no stone unturned, Shaw explores how evolutionary innovations such as small body size, wings, metamorphosis, and parasitic behavior have enabled insects to disperse widely, occupy increasingly narrow niches, and survive global catastrophes in their rise to dominance. Through buggy tales by turns bizarre and comical—from caddisflies that construct portable houses or weave silken aquatic nets to trap floating debris, to parasitic wasp larvae that develop in the blood of host insects and, by storing waste products in their rear ends, are able to postpone defecation until after they emerge—he not only unearths how changes in our planet’s geology, flora, and fauna contributed to insects’ success, but also how, in return, insects came to shape terrestrial ecosystems and amplify biodiversity. Indeed, in his visits to hyperdiverse rain forests to highlight the current insect extinction crisis, Shaw reaffirms just how crucial these tiny beings are to planetary health and human survival. In this age of honeybee die-offs and bedbugs hitching rides in the spines of library books, Planet of the Bugs charms with humor, affection, and insight into the world’s six-legged creatures, revealing an essential importance that resonates across time and space.

    And before there were fish in the sea, there were cephalopods - the ancestors of modern squid and Earth’s first truly substantial animals. Cephalopods became the first creatures to rise from the seafloor, essentially inventing the act of swimming. With dozens of tentacles and formidable shells, they presided over an undersea empire for millions of years. But when fish evolved jaws, the ocean’s former top predator became its most delicious snack. Cephalopods had to step up their game. Many species streamlined their shells and added defensive spines, but these enhancements only provided a brief advantage. Some cephalopods then abandoned the shell entirely, which opened the gates to a flood of evolutionary innovations: masterful camouflage, fin-supplemented jet propulsion, perhaps even dolphin-like intelligence. Squid Empire is an epic adventure spanning hundreds of millions of years, from the marine life of the primordial ocean to the calamari on tonight’s menu. Anyone who enjoys the undersea world—along with all those obsessed with things prehistoric—will be interested in the sometimes enormous, often bizarre creatures that ruled the seas long before the first dinosaurs.

    This book provides a beautiful overview of the diversity that succulents have to offer, presenting a wide variety of popular plants to help you create striking, aesthetically pleasing compositions.This succulent guide includes information about: What each variety needs and where it thrivesPlant characteristics, with ratings on ease of growth and maintenance requirementsIdeas for group plantings and illustrated tips on indoor plantingStriking identification photos, rich in color and contrastThis succulent encyclopedia is a useful resource for everyone--from cacti beginners looking to decorate their living space to serious gardeners hoping to expand their succulent plantings.

    For a limited time the book is under dollar or free on KU.

    Inside the CIA, changes had to be made. At the center of it all is Dr. Alvin Higgins, an awkward analyst with a dream to be part of the solution. Before he joined C. G. Cooper's Corps Justice tales he had a beginning. This is his story, how he came to the CIA as a bookworm, a green recruit tagged as the one who would fail. Find out how this fish out of water began his march to greatness by impressing his peers with his intellect and humanity, all while building an interrogation apparatus that would support the CIA's efforts in the decades to come.

    People of all ages frequently ask, “How did you find that so quickly?” Well, this book will explain just that! The planets in our solar system, the International Space Station, sunspots, birds, nebula, airplanes, and comets are just some of the items that his book will help you find!If you have been having difficulties enjoying your small telescope, this book is for you. There is something interesting about pretty much everything in outer space and it is exciting how many pop-culture references are derived from things in the night sky! Viewing the stars referenced in Star Trek, or talking about a character in Harry Potter named after a constellation, is just another way to make stargazing that much more fun! I am very excited to share my knowledge of astronomy and I am sure you will enjoy this book for years to come. By working through the 50 items in this book you will achieve a well-rounded understanding of amateur astronomy.

    The author explodes the old orthodoxies and gives us a convincing picture of how dinosaurs hunted, fed, mated, fought and died.Containing over 200 detailed illustrations, The Great Dinosaur Debate will enthrall "dinosaurmaniacs". It is a bold new look at the extraordinary reign and eventual extinction of the awesome behemoths who ruled the earth for 150 million years.

    McPhee embarks on a fascinating journey across the basement of the continent -- the land masses forming Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and thereabouts -- with a professor and geochronologist acting as a guide.

    The ultimate reference to 355 dinosaurs from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, including more than 900 watercolors, maps, timelines and photographs.Includes the best-known non-dinosaurs such as sea-living placodonts, nothosaurs, plesiosaurs, mosasaurs and ichthyosaurs, as well as the airborne pterosaurs.With informative descriptions, technically accurate profiles, anatomical illustrations, depictions of dinosaur habitats, and maps of fossil sites.

    One click and read now to join witch Esme on her charming and funny murder mystery adventures.★★★★★ "R.K Dreaming weaves a wonderful tale of friendship, family, romance and mystery. Well written, fun read - looking forward to future releases." - Amazon ReviewerBOOK ONE:Solving crime one ghost at a time.Disaster strikes and witch Esme Westbrim flees in the dead of night to her magical hometown of Brimstone Bay with a terrible secret. The ramshackle old castle left to her by a great-aunt is the perfect hide-out for a desperate witch seeking a charm to get her out of harm's way, right up until a dead body turns up on her doorstep.Things get worse when the ridiculously handsome investigating Special Agent Chris Constantine puts Esme on his suspect’s list. Esme must put her amateur sleuthing skills to the test and prove her innocence before Agent Constantine takes too close a look at her — because Esme has a secret worse than murder.Juggling life and death turns into magical mayhem when a moody psychic cat, a busybody ghost aunt, and Esme’s three wild witch cousins burst in on her life. Will they help her catch the killer, or will they run for cover when they find out what Esme is hiding?BOOK TWO:Solving crime one fairy tale at a time.Witch Esme Westbrim is settling into a new life in Bewitching Brimstone Bay when the murder of a tourist hits too close to home. The second body in a few months has turned up on her doorstep!To make things worse Esme has seen someone she knows all too well lurking around the scene of the crime. Afraid her family will come under suspicion, Esme must attend a magical fairy-tale reunion ball and uncover deadly secrets from the past. Even help from a psychic cat, magically marvellous cupcakes, and a wild witch cousin might not be enough when a certain ridiculously handsome Special Agent keeps getting in Esme's way!Can Esme find happily ever after for everyone or will her belief that fairy tales always end badly come true?BOOK THREE:Solving crime one beast at a time.Life in Bewitching Brimstone Bay has not turned out the way that witch Esme Westbrim hoped, but when girls start going missing across town, including a customer at her café, Esme puts aside her own troubles in order to help. To her dismay, she stumbles across a wicked murder.It turns out the victim is tied to the ridiculously handsome Chris Constantine’s troubled past, and the race is on to solve not just one beastly crime, but three. Worse, Esme’s faith in Chris is shaken when she discovers an alarming secret. With the help of her psychic cat, ghost aunt and wild witch cousin, can Esme untangle the complicated mysteries of Chris’s past and her own heart before time runs out and the vengefully wicked past catches up with all of them?

     Everyone knows that when “The Angel of Death” takes over your company, your job is as good as dead. But I’m terrified for an entirely different reason. Because Jet Bishop isn’t just my cruel and heartless new CEO. He also happens to be the father of my child, and he doesn’t even know it. Our one night stand took place years ago, and I’m certain he doesn’t remember me, or the night that rocked my world in so many ways. Now I have a beautiful little girl to protect. A job that I desperately need. A terrible man that I need to stay far away from, only now he is so close. And every hour he gets closer. Because Jet has his sights set on me again. He might not remember me, or maybe he does. What I do know is that the moment he touches me again, I will be his. I’ll melt for him like I did that one night, and he will do whatever he wants to me. Until everything I’ve ever loved is shattered in pieces around me…

    Damaged. Forbidden.Take a wild, toe-curling ride with these eight, full-length novels…Books in this Collection:Fake it for the BillionaireI broke the rules, and now I need to make her an offer she can’t refuse.Billionaire Boss TemptationErik ghosted me after an amazing night, and now he happens to be my new boss.Second Chance BillionaireI screwed up the perfect relationship. I won’t screw it up again. Emery doesn’t know it yet, but she’s mine. She will always be mine.Rebellious SecretsMy life was a mess. Then Brendan arrives and makes it worse.Protector SecretsShe’s a single mom with a past who I need to leave alone. But, fate has other plans.Second Chance SecretsHe was a bad boy then…and he hasn’t changed. This second-chance fling will never last.Forbidden SecretsLiving in the same house as my big brother’s best friend was supposed to be temporary. Now, I’m in big trouble.Revenge SecretsIt was supposed to be a fake relationship to get revenge. Now, it looks like I’m the one getting hurt.***If you love bad boy billionaires who know how to protect and satisfy their women, then you’ll want to get lost in the Love, Lies and Billionaires romance collection.Each book is a full-length novel and promises a happily-ever-after!18+

    

    When her father unexpectedly passes away, the vipers come out in the family. As they try to divide everything up and leave her with nothing, her only chance to keep the farm—and her father's fortune—is to get married.Duke Chappell has always annoyed her, because the man doesn't understand the meaning of the words, "Our schedule is full." He's in charge of all the breeding at the prestigious Chappell Horse Farm, and Lisa doesn't mind the high fees she can charge him. She does mind the relentless way he calls and calls...and calls.But right when she needs him, he's there. And he's willing to say the words she needs to save her farm... "I do."Can Lisa and Duke navigate their new relationship, especially when the sparks start to fly?

    The rental is getting the repairs it needs and the end of the school year is in sight. Time to unwind, go for a jog, encounter a dying woman in the park, get held up in a bar, and become embroiled in a mystery stretching back decades. The usual…After discovering that the dying woman was murdered, Samantha finds herself mixed up in a quest to uncover the truth behind the woman’s best friend, an orphan who disappeared fifty years ago. Maxie and Olivia, Samantha’s best friends, are dealing with problems of their own, and Ben Parker, her FBI agent boyfriend, is back in town and not overly excited that she’s treading into danger again.As Samantha investigates the mystery of the missing orphan, she uncovers long-held secrets that someone in Oak Valley has worked hard to keep hidden. The situation escalates quickly when there is another murder, and now Samantha is in a race to find a killer before someone else gets hurt.