A really good joke, like a great poem, memorable song lyric, razor-sharp anecdote, or Zen koan, is a portal of discovery—it can get a meaningful message across in a way that’s clear, humorous, and practical. It’s the secret weapon of every great comedian—there’s the joke, and then there’s the subtext of the joke, and that can mean serious business. A funny, funny joke about a therapist and his patient conveys, for example, an important lesson on the power of communication. A surprising joke about a tribal shaman and the weather service turns into a necessary critique on how we should view experts.

    She has managed to “live original” and still uphold her family values and faith convictions. In her new devotional, Sadie shares the principles and values that guide her life, shows how she stays confident and encouraged, and offers helpful advice about living with purpose. This year-long devotional is perfect for today’s teenage girls and young women. Each week has five devotional offerings to choose from, as well as two days “off” to give you some flexibility. Whether you need a personal message from Sadie, a quick Scripture to remember, or space to journal, this devotional allows you to customize and select what you need each day. Sadie covers a wide range of topics including self-confidence, social media, bullying, dating, peer pressure, and more. It’s not always easy to live in today’s culture and hold onto your values and beliefs, but this devotional encourages you to stay positive and live a fulfilling life.

    Ackerman muses on the confines of therapy sessions, where she intersects "twice a week/in a painstaking hide-and-seek/making do with half-light, half-speak"; relishes the succulent pleasure of eating an apricot, with its "gush of taboo sweetness"; and imagines the "unupholstered voice, a life in outline" in her stunning elegy to C. S. Lewis. Whimsical, organic, and wise, the poems in I Praise My Destroyer affirm Ackerman's place as one of the most enchanting poets writing today.

    Finally, a new author as witty and sassy as Janet Evanovich." -- Lark SusakMedium Dead is a fun urban fantasy chronicling the crime fighting adventures of Brenda - a reluctant medium - and Brian - a Vigilante Demon with an impish sense of humour. Think Stephanie Plum with magic and a dash of Carl Hiaasen. Brenda Steele is smart, funny and out of her depth. A Vigilante Demon called Brian wants her to find murdered spirits and help him track down their killers. But Brian doesn't just catch criminals, he likes to play with them first, and make the punishment fit the crime. As he tells Brenda, "if all you did was turn up, capture the bad guy then leave - century after century - you'd die of boredom."He's also reckless - his last partner died during one of his takedowns.Along the way, Brenda discovers that Brian isn't as old, or as powerful, as he led her to believe. He might even be human. Whereas the murderer they're hunting, and the child he's holding prisoner, might not. REVIEWS"I was hooked by the end of page one and laughing out loud by the middle of page two. Finally, a new author as witty and sassy as Janet Evanovich." -- Lark Susak"Yes, yes, yes you will want to read Medium Dead by Chris Dolley. Yes, if you enjoy your mysteries with stumbling heroines and heroes trying to exercise detective skills they may not actually have. Yes, if you don't mind laughing out loud as you read. And yes, if you enjoy your terror without horror," -- Kathleen Kempa"This was a very entertaining story. I enjoyed the characters and humor. Nothing better than a good belly laugh. Can't wait for the next installment," -- Stephanie Robert

    Now that I have this incredible power, it is my mission to scour the nine realms in search of more dragons to add to my menagerie.I am joined by a beautiful Light Elf and a powerful half-Valkyrie sorceress, and these women want to bind themselves to me and bear my children.This is the start of my legacy, and my journey to sit beside Odin and Freya as the greatest warrior mage Asgard has ever seen.

    At first, everyone thought it was just a new game, however... Alexander Dumsky, or Alex Doom, was a dark wizard. At the age of seventeen, he was convicted of a litany of crimes so long that even the seasoned investigators, judges, and prosecutors involved in the case could only shudder. Not a single attorney could be found to defend him in court. But four years later, Alex was released from prison to become the Professor of Dark Magic. They'd thrown him into the deepest hole they could find, one built for the sole purpose of holding wizards, and then they let him back out again... Why him? Why then?

    Clock in, do paperwork, clock out. He gave up magic, joined the Meta Marshal Service, and just wanted to be left alone.Until a routine prisoner transport went awry and blew up his entire existence.That was when he found Cassie down on her knees in the wreckage, asking him for help.And he knew in that instant: Magic just wouldn't leave him alone.Now he’s on a hunt for an escaped convict and a powerful ancient artifact with the potential to ruin their world for good.Jared better embrace his power, hunt down the bad guy, and keep his girls together, or else he’ll never get that peace and quiet back.Warning: This book contains explicit scenes, some violence, a weird magic system, an overly bubbly shifter girl, and a harem relationship.

    Just before my death though, I was offered a choice. Stay and let my life come to a swift and brutal end, or become the personal assassin of a god in another world.It wasn't a hard decision.But this new world isn’t like the one I left. It operates by a completely different set of rules and a strange system that I don’t understand. I’m going to have to learn fast if I hope to survive in this land of myth and magic.All of my skills, and several new ones, will be put to the test as I receive my first contract.And new world or not, they have no idea who they’re up against.This Light Novel includes:Isekai/Portal FantasyAn Overpowered MCGamelit/Lite LitRPGGraphic ViolenceInterior ArtIncreasing Level System and SkillsSpells and MagicLite RomanceIsekai Assassin is a fast-paced story set in a Gamelit Dark Fantasy world, written by the bestselling author of the Wyvern Academy series.

    This, the most detailed and lavishly illustrated book on the cathedral available in English, beautifully evokes the awe-inspiring monument that attracts countless visitors from around the world.

    In clear, lively, warm prose, this edition continues the title's integration of gender, culture, and ethnicity. By the end, readers will learn how to interpret research and to address and resolve controversies. MyPsychLab is an integral part of the Wade/Tavris/Garry program. Engaging activities and assessments provide a teaching and learning system that helps students think like a psychologist. With MyPsychLab, students can watch videos on psychological research and applications, participate in virtual classic experiments, and develop critical thinking skills through writing. "Invitation to Psychology, "5/e is available in a new DSM-5 Updated edition. To learn more, click here. This title is available in a variety of formats - digital and print. Pearson offers its titles on the devices students love through Pearson's MyLab products, CourseSmart, Amazon, and more.

    He longs to see what lies beyond the lake. He grew up listening to the legends of King Riehner and the Battlemages and how he united all the races together; humans, elves, and dwarves alike, to defeat the Kapre and bring unprecedented peace to Iradell. But all that changed a lifetime ago when Tzelder, a former Battlemage student, usurped Riehner and has ruled Iradell since.Now, under Tzelder's rule, magic is illegal, and using it is punishable by death. No one has seen an elf or dwarf in decades, and Tamm feels trapped between the mountains and the lake, drowning in mediocrity. With his sixteenth birthday fast approaching, he must make a choice; choose an apprenticeship like the rest of the young men his age or flee Aleesia in search of the adventure he's always desired. Unfortunately, Tamm soon learns you don't have to leave to find adventure; sometimes it finds you. After someone close to him is fatally injured, Tamm discovers a magic that could save them, but it will put him at odds with the king. All the while, an ancient enemy is poised to return and threatens the town he always thought he wanted to leave. Will his limited knowledge of magic help him save those he loves, or will it get him killed? Can he become the hero he's always wanted to be? Through him, can the Battlemages be Reborn?

    Standard MMO fare—or so Cerys Collins thought.As a long-time gamer and guild leader, Cerys has always wondered what it would be like to live in virtual reality. When her guild members convince her to try a new VRMMO, she discovers reality is far more complex than she knew.Chosen by the gods of another world, Cerys finds herself trapped between warring factions: a tyrannical human empire and an oppressed kingdom of demons. When she discovers her best friend has been dragged into this new world as well, Cerys is forced to choose between saving her friend or looking at the bigger picture.If Cerys is to be anything more than a pawn in the gods' game, she'll have to leverage everything she's learned on her home world and in past games, before it's too late.With a cocky incubus king vying for more than her loyalty, her quest won’t be an easy one.The Deck of Souls series contains some dark themes, profanity, violence, and adult relationships.

     What no one predicted was the sudden message that appeared before every living soul moments before impact, a message from 'The Administrators' revealing our entire world and everything in it to be a species simulation. According to the message, Humanity had been reset over a million times and every single time we could not prevent our own extinction. No more resets for humanity. No more chances. They would leave our world an irradiated disaster, but to keep things interesting, they would convert our species simulation to a game for their twisted entertainment. Digital or not, real or not, I have a family to protect. A wife and daughter who need me, universe be damned. I say bring it on. Welcome to the end of the world.  Welcome to The Great Filter.

    In this exciting sequel, he builds on his groundbreaking research, showing you how to use your color profile as a guide to cultivating a full and balanced character. The essence of character is the ability to enhance not only our own lives, but the lives of others as well. Here, Dr. Hartman gives you the tools you need to unlock your true potential, including engaging case histories, clearly articulated principles, and step-by-step exercises for: Recognizing your innate -- and developed -- strengthsIdentifying your core motivationsCommunicating more effectivelyFocusing your commitmentsDiscovering the importance of character "stretching" Presented with refreshing style and candid professionalism, this revolutionary guide provides tremendous counsel for identifying and embracing an enhanced life.

    Doing so will require skill, determination, and help from a number of unlikely heroes along the way. Using his deep knowledge of game mechanics, he’ll start again as a level 0 necromancer and exploit his way to power.With luck, his game-breaking exploits will alert Mythian’s admins that something is wrong. With more luck, they’ll pull him aside and ask how and why he'd done it.With even MORE luck … well … in that unlikely event, the game’s creators — uncaring at best, and sadistic at worst — won’t delete him for exposing their mistakes.It’s a risk he’s willing to take, though some warn it may destroy all of Mythian in the process.Don't miss an epic LitRPG Adventure from #1 Bestselling author John L. Monk. Did we mention it's got plenty of laughs? It's perfect for fans of Dakota Krout, James Osiris Baldwin, and Ryan Rimmel.