and Christianity has been imposed throughout Egypt. On the holy island of Philae, off the southern coast, the last community faithful to the old ways struggles against the invader and continues active worship in its temple. Isis, leader of the community, is determined that their ideals will not die out. She embarks upon an unequal struggle against the all-powerful bishop Theodore to preserve the ancient mysteries. With the help of Sabni, who is bound to her by an everlasting love, Isis succeeds in restoring confidence to the followers. However, from north to south, dangers rise up to threaten the temple's existence.

    Birthing class brings together two sets of expectant parents who couldn't be more different. Huge and his spoiled wife Amanda plan to throw money at the problem of parenthood, making use of private hospitals and nurses, while environmentally friendly Jake and Alice have arranged a home delivery complete with birthing pool and whale music.But even after their babies are born, these seemingly disparate couples can't escape each other. When Amanda decides she's not cut out for motherhood and Huge must look elsewhere for a sympathetic ear, the couples are inextricably drawn together once again, resulting in hilarious social comedy, as only Wendy Holden can write it.Wendy Holden is [a] superstar. -- Evening Standard (London)

    In a suspenseful novel of terrorist threat, Libyan leader Qaddafi holds New York City hostage with the threat of setting off a hidden nuclear bomb.

    The singer-turned tycoon prefers his privacy and he is not thrilled to be the subject of a “Fallen Stars” segment aired by a local television station. When the host for the show, Claire Carson, won’t drop the proposed follow up segment, Trace doesn’t get mad—he buys the station and Claire’s contract.If Trace thinks he can tell Claire what to do, he can just think again. The talk show host didn’t sweep the ratings on her smile alone. Now she will need every ounce of her determination and people savvy to win this power struggle. She has never met a man so infuriating…so deliciously handsome…and so completely lonely. Claire’s desire to win is suddenly second to her need to touch Trace’s heart.

    Albert Ellis and Dr. Raymond Chip Tafrate present here their proven approach to helping people deal effectively with emotional problems and show you how to use their techniques to systematically understand the roots and nature of your anger. Using easy-to-master instructions and exercises, readers can learn to live unhysterically in an often difficult and unfair world. REBT will reduce angry reactions and help to challenge and eliminate the anger that can frustrate success and happiness at home, at work, anywhere.

    50,000 first printing.

    At night, however, it transforms into a “floating world” of escapism, as “all-work” salarymen seek a place to play. Though fascinated by Japanese language and culture, American Lea Jacobson had some difficulty conforming to Japan’s rigidly structured society. After she was fired from her job as an English teacher, Lea found work as a nightclub hostess on Tokyo’s Ginza strip and transformed herself into a doll-like confection whose job it was to flatter, flirt, and engage in mock relationships with her middle-aged clients. Working as a hostess—the occupation a direct descendant of the geisha tradition—quickly became lucrative...and addictive.Her perceptions distorted by the drinks she was paid to consume, her identity confused by the fake personalities she assumed nightly, Jacobson began to lose herself in this fantasy culture.  As she descended into self-abuse and alcoholism, she found that the seductive lifestyle she loved so much seemed impossible to escape.Jacobson’s searing insights into Japan’s cultural dynamics, erotic fascinations, gender politics, and her own spiral into sensory excess create a haunting and mesmerizing memoir that will leave readers transfixed.

    In public, she confines herself to optimistic pieties and guarded smiles; in private, she is wry, funny, and an excellent mimic. Now, for the first time, one of Britain's leading journalists and historians gets behind the mask and tells us the fascinating story of the real Elizabeth.Born shortly before the Depression, Elizabeth grew up during World War II and became queen because of the shocking abdication of her uncle and the early death of her father. Only twenty-five when she ascended to the throne, she has been at the apex of the British state for nearly six decades. She has entertained and known numerous world leaders, including every U.S. president since Harry Truman. Brought up to regard family values as sacred, she has seen all but one of her children divorce; her heir, Prince Charles, conduct an adulterous affair before Princess Diana's death; and a steady stream of family secrets poured into the open. Yet she has never failed to carry out her duties, and she has never said a word about any of the troubles she has endured.Andrew Marr, who enjoys extraordinary access to senior figures at Buckingham Palace, has written a revealing and essential book about a woman who has managed to remain private to the point of mystery throughout her reign.

    In his earlier book, The Poetics of Space, Bachelard considered several kinds of "praiseworthy space" conducive to the flow of poetic imagery. In Poetics of Reverie he considers the absolute origins of that imagery: language, sexuality, childhood, the Cartesian ego, and the universe. Approaching the psychology of wonder from the phenomenological viewpoint, Bachelard demonstrates the aurgentative potential of all that awareness. Thus he distinguishes what is merely a phenomenon of relaxation from the kind of reverie which "poetry puts on the right track, the track of expanding consciousness"

    This series will reveal secrets, tug at your heartstrings, and leave you wanting so…much…more!“Love was never meant to come easy for the Strauss Bear Shifter Brothers.”Nathan“The most gruff, strong and silent brother”Billionaire bear shifter, Nathan Strauss, wants nothing more than to claim his stake on Alanna.She’s a beautiful new guest at the Black Bear Lake Lodge. The woman who has forced Nathan to break the one rule he was asked to follow as a Strauss brother, but Nathan doesn’t care. Not when Alanna is his mate. She’s all he thinks about, and she needs his help.Alanna is in possession of another man. The brutal monster has forced her into joining his harem of wives. Alanna had no choice but to obey his orders. He’s holding her brother hostage. Nathan is a ray of light for her. The man who’s so hot that she could melt into his arms. But love isn’t supposed to come easy for them.Can Nathan protect Alanna and free her from her captor?Eric“The most easy going one who effortlessly makes everyone happy”Billionaire bear shifter, Eric Strauss, always loved one woman and her betrayal still stings him.When the love of Eric Strauss’s life shows up at The Black Bear Lake Lodge, Eric figures things will be awkward at best. They might have been the closest of friends once, soul mates who were so connected they could sometimes read each other’s minds. But that was a long time ago. Eric’s not counting on anything more than some reminiscing and a lot of disappointment before Lydia runs off one more time.But Lydia has a darker reason for showing up in Eric’s life again. She’s had the same foreboding nightmare about Eric over and over. Eric’s in danger. She’s sure of it…she just doesn’t know where the danger is coming from.What they had… was real. What he sees in her eyes… is real. Her return will either heal his heart or lead to his ultimate destruction. Can Lydia stop the danger before it’s too late?Cody“Little bit angry but always loyal”Billionaire bear shifter, Cody Strauss, can’t help but be attracted to one of the maids at the Black Bear Lake Lodge.Jessie’s sexy curves are a perfect distraction for him. But she’s much more than just a gorgeous woman and his employee. Cody is tempted to believe that she might be his fated mate.Jessie, on the other hand, does everything to avoid him. It’s hard for her to ignore him, to not let him touch her in ways that she can’t stop dreaming about. But there’s something at stake. A secret. And Jessie would do anything to protect it… to protect them. She never meant to become a single mother to six bear shifter cubs, but her heart couldn’t handle their bad treatment.Cody will discover her secret sooner or later, and when he does… will he be able to protect her and accept her family as his own?Connor“Alpha brother who’s in charge of everything”Billionaire bear shifter, Connor Strauss has fallen for the one woman he shouldn’t crave. His natural enemy, and a woman with a deep secret.Every one of Connor’s brothers have found their mates. He’s happy for them but wants the same for himself. As a bear shifter of Colorado, Connor has always been a stickler for the rules, but when it comes to Brooke, he seems to forget about everything else.He isn’t supposed to find out her secret. One that makes them enemies. The conflict might be too much for Brooke to handle and gaining control of her heart would be even harder. Especially since her supposed enemy is the one person who genuinely cares about her. Maybe, even loves her. But will she be able to love him back?

    I'm here to celebrate the mad energy of this strange novel. In it we have the pleasure of seeing Mark Twain's imagination go berserk," writes Bobbie Ann Mason in her introduction. The American Claimant is a comedy of mistaken identities and multiple role switches--fertile and familiar Mark Twain territory. Its cast of characters include an American enamored of British hereditary aristocracy and a British earl entranced by American democracy. The central character, Colonel Mulberry Sellers, is an irrepressible, buoyant mad scientist, Mason writes, "brimming with harebrained ideas. Nothing is impossible for him.... He's totally loopy." His voluble wackiness leaves the reader reeling in the wake of inventions that prefigure DNA cloning, fax machines, and photocopiers. Twain uses this over-the-top comic frame to explore some serious issues as well--such as the construction of self and identity, the role of the press in society, and the moral and social questions raised by capitalism and industrialization in the United States. A unique melange of science fiction and fantasy, romance, farce, and political satire, Twain's least-known comic novel is both thought-provoking and entertaining.

    This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

    Gorgeous Grace and Charming Charity are soon hot favourites on everybody's guest-list. Except that of their neighbour, Marcella Hunter. Heiress Marcella doesn't want the competition and when Grace starts dating Marcella's 'Plan B' man - dull but extraordinarily rich Choate Fitzgerald - the gloves are off. Marcella determines to find out where the sisters really came from. And exactly how they can afford to rent a six-bedroom beach house in this millionaires' playground. In the process, however, it's discovered that quite a few of the people spending that summer in Little Elbow are not exactly what they seem...

    During a clandestine dive to an old shipwreck, archaeologist Isabella Warnock unearths an artefact unlike anything she has ever seen: an astrarium, a powerful ancient device rumoured to have shaped the destinies of pharaohs and kings since the beginning of time. But her discovery comes at a terrible price.

    And, now the Orcs, whom Earthlings hunted down and slaughtered like beasts of the field, may be the chosen creatures destined to win peace for all...