Russia is dying from within. Oligarchs and oil barons may still dominate international news coverage, but their prosperity masks a deep-rooted demographic tragedy. Faced with staggering population declineand near-certain economic collapsedriven by toxic levels of alcohol abuse, Russia is also battling a deeper sickness: a spiritual one, born out of the country’s long totalitarian experiment.In The Last Man in Russia, award-winning journalist Oliver Bullough uses the tale of a lone priest to give life to this national crisis. Father Dmitry Dudko, a dissident Orthodox Christian, was thrown into a Stalinist labor camp for writing poetry. Undaunted, on his release in the mid-1950s he began to preach to congregations across Russia with little concern for his own safety. At a time when the Soviet government denied its subjects the prospect of advancement, and turned friend against friend and brother against brother, Dudko urged his followers to cling to... Views: 14
Dark Victorian secrets mirror the pattern of betrayal and deception in the present. Set in Edinburgh and Dundee, Fields of Blue Flax is the parallel story of, in the past, dark Victorian secrets uncovered and, in the present, how an innocent interest in genealogy brings a family to the brink of destruction. This is a remarkable and compelling debut novel by Sue Lawrence, renowned food writer, journalist and broadcaster, and first ever winner of BBC TV's Masterchef. Cousins Mags and Christine are complete opposites, one conventional the other bohemian. As family life with husbands and children intertwine, their joint research into the family history uncovers a forgotten relative, Elizabeth Barrie, born in the late nineteenth century in the north east village of Tannadice. Elizabeth's origins aren't what they appear to be, hiding a shocking scandal at the very heart of a prominent, 'respectable' family. Unprepared for what they will find about their relative, the truth at the... Views: 14
What do Ernest Hemingway, Oscar Wilde, John Kennedy Toole, Kurt Vonnegut, Charles Dickens, Edgar Allan Poe and many others have in common?Their Muse.Stinky, a defrocked minor god, wordsmith and connoisseur of Brandy Alexanders has helped many to achieve fame.Roland (would-be writer and bar owner), Hussey (trainee vooderine), Dee Dee (sushi chef, Halifax Hottie and Tourette's tart), Cutter (handsome and a genuine re re), Bella Donna (blind, vengeful and wannabee voodun) and the leaders of the legal, insurance, pharmaceutical and medical professions (aka The Four Horsemen: War, Famine, Pestilence and Death) are about to encounter Stinky.A greyhound with a multiple personality, an ex-mafia Fugu Lounge barfly, a bull rider who is terrified of clowns and a new remedy for phobias and more are 'conjured' in this absorbing, articulate, intelligent, feisty and witty novel. Views: 14
In a world filled with inspirational know-it-alls and quotable blowhards, only one figure is indifferent enough to tell the cranky truth: Grumpy Cat. Following the success of her New York Times bestselling debut, everyone's favorite disgruntled feline is back with this demotivational guide to everyday life, love, friendship, and more. Featuring many new photos of Grumpy Cat's famous frown and packed with uninspiring observations, The Grumpy Guide to Life will help anyone get in touch with their inner grouch. Views: 14
Jason Tardin is trapped within a virtual world. He is sure of this- because he has seen the program. But if this is a computer generated world, how can he reconcile the complexity of its strange inhabitants, people capable of frustration, joy, and pain? Are they computer simulations- or more? And what about the power which allows him to create or control whatever he wishes? Is he a god, as the people of Vrin believe? Caught up in the politics of this mysterious world, haunted by a conversation with scientists on the outside, and stalked by a mad god, Jason Tardin must unravel the mystery to save a world- that is not his own. Woven with rich characters, and inextricably filled with secrets about dreams and the afterlife, ten mortal gods is a glimpse into the complex nature of human suffering, and the inescapable reality of eternal truth. Views: 14
Shy accountant Katie Lenard wanted one special Valentine’s Day, but girls her size didn’t receive flowers and candy. Rancher John Kinkaid doesn’t have time for hearts and flowers. At least not until he meets Katie. The time he spends with the curvy beauty has him rethinking his lonely existence. Views: 14
Thieves, lovers, scoundrels and saviors: good guys and bad surround Cass Richards and Sam Mason. Sam’s a cop with a case involving stolen gems, but it’s Cass—his assistant and prime suspect—who may be his prize catch…. Views: 14
This gripping psychological maze is perfect for fans of Ruth Rendell and P. D. James.Pip Carlton is a devoted husband and a highly respected pharmacist, cherished by his loyal customers. When his wife dies in her sleep, with no apparent cause, he is distraught. Comforted by his caring assistant, Pip ignores the rumors about Margaret's death, relieved that the police seem to have moved on. But prosecutor Helen West refuses to believe that Margaret simply slipped into her final slumber. As she probes deeper into the affairs of the neighborhood, she uncovers a viper's nest of twisted passion, jealous rage, and lethal addictions. Then a sudden act of violence erupts, shaking the community, and one lone man, armed with strange love potions, prepares to murder again ... Views: 14
Erotica/Romance. 25341 words long. First published in eXtasy Books, 2006 Views: 14
AD 39: Rome. Marcus Salvius Magnus, leader of the Crossroads Brotherhood, is buying a dangerous cargo of illegal weaponry. When a deal which will ensure Magnus's dominance over Rome's criminal underworld goes sour, Magnus must regain the shipment by any means necessary...As the rival West Viminal Brotherhood threatens his whole operation, Magnus fights to outwit his opponents whilst juggling the threat of the law and the demands of his patron. With enemies, plots and intrigue on all sides, can Magnus manage to evade death long enough to emerge victorious? Views: 14
An intrepid boy teams up with Alfred Hitchcock himself in this rollicking mystery rife with action, adventure, intrigue, and all the flavor of film noir. After the mysterious death of his mother, eleven-year-old Jack Fair is whisked away to San Francisco's swanky Fairmont Hotel by his wicked Aunt Edith. There, he seems doomed to a life of fetching chocolates for his aunt and her pet chinchilla. Until one night, when Aunt Edith disappears, and the only clue is a ransom note written...in chocolate? Suddenly, Jack finds himself all alone on a quest to discover who kidnapped Aunt Edith and what happened to his mother. Alone, that is, until he meets an unlikely accomplice—Alfred Hitchcock himself! The two embark on a madcap journey full of hidden doorways, secret societies, cryptic clues, sinister villains, and cinematic flair. Views: 14
This book is part of our first sweet and sassy Candy Apple summer vacation trilogy! Each book focuses on one girl from a trio, and follows her summer adventure away from her friends.Three girls, three trips, one amazing summer!Willhelmina "Mina" Chestnut loves spending time with her BFFs, Samantha and Liza, in their New Jersey suburb. But this summer, the girls are splitting up, and Mina is attending an art camp in New York City!Mina is dazzled by all the Big Apple has to offer, and enjoys seeing the sights and meeting new people. But a snooty girl at the camp makes Mina miss the comfort of home. How can she survive the big city for a summer without her friends? Maybe by finding them the perfect souvenirs... Views: 14
