How do we find the courage to always be true to ourselves—even if we are unsure of whom we are? That is the central question of international bestselling author Paulo Coelho's profound new work, The Witch of Portobello. It is the story of a mysterious woman named Athena, told by the many who knew her well—or hardly at all. Among them: "People create a reality and then become the victims of that reality. Athena rebelled against that—and paid a high price." Heron Ryan, journalist "I was used and manipulated by Athena, with no consideration for my feelings. She was my teacher, charged with passing on the sacred mysteries, with awakening the unknown energy we all possess. When we venture into that unfamiliar sea, we trust blindly in those who guide us, believing that they know more than we do." Andrea McCain, actress "Athena's great problem was that she was a woman of the twenty-second century living in the twenty-first, and making no secret of the fact, either. Did she pay a price? She certainly did. But she would have paid a still higher price if she had repressed her natural exuberance. She would have been bitter, frustrated, always concerned about 'what other people might think,' always saying, 'I'll just sort these things out, then I'll devote myself to my dream,' always complaining 'that the conditions are never quite right.'" Deidre O'Neill, known as Edda Like The Alchemist, The Witch of Portobello is the kind of story that will transform the way readers think about love, passion, joy, and sacrifice. Views: 20
SUMMARY: When an animal rights activist is killed by a hit-and-run driver on an icy Cambridge street, music critic Theda Krakow can't get too upset. The victim cared more for wild animals than for people, and had no use at all for domesticated pets, such as the black-and-white cat Musetta that Theda adores. Besides, Theda is caught up in investigating the rise of a dangerous new designer drug that threatens the musicians and fans who make up the club scene she considers her second home. But when the feline-friendly writer learns that the accident victim was defying her own radical group to rescue feral cats on the eve of a ferocious winter storm, she puts her own prejudices aside to help out. As Theda and her buddy, the punk-rock shelter owner Violet, race to save these half-wild felines from the freezing New England winter, they uncover simmering tensions that make the activist's death seem more than an accident. Could a friend have been the fatal driver? Is Violet more involved with the extremist group than she's let on? Even while kittens are at risk and the new drug hits close to home, Theda tries to hang onto her journalistic objectivity. But when the threats become more personal and Musetta goes missing, Theda risks her reputation, her career, and possibly her life as the word "deadline" takes on a whole new meaning. Views: 20
From Publishers WeeklyIn this bold first of a new fantasy series from Canadian Patton (The Golden Sword, etc.), six gods, who originated from spirits that mated with humans and who can take corporeal form at will, rule the magical city of Anavatan, which sits next to the brilliant silver lake of Gol-Beyaz. During the chaotic rite known as Havoc's Dance, two small boys, Brax and Spar, are drawn to Estavia, the powerful red-eyed god of battle. Opposing them is another boy, Graize, who sides with the still-growing Incasa, the god of prophecy. Court intrigues enrich the story, as do many made-up words that lend color but whose meanings readers must figure out in context. The smashing climax neatly sets up events for volume two. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. FromAnavatan's six gods emerged in time past remembering from the heart of Gol-Beyaz, the Silver Lake. They protect the city and surroundings with a magical wall that excludes raiders and the spirits of the plains that are drawn to Gol-Beyaz. It is the time called Havo's Dance--three nights of chaos, great winds, and powerful storms. Best to find shelter before sunset. Seeking cover, two orphaned thieves, Spar and his protective companion, Brax, are set upon by rivals Graize and Drove. Plains spirits who have breached the wall attack all four, immediately killing Drove. Brax calls on the goddess of battle, Estavia, promising his service and his life, and she appears, saving the three survivors and naming Brax her newest champion. Meanwhile, the god of chance examines the possibilities the night has birthed, curtailing some and allowing others. Very soon, Spar and Graize will change their world unimaginably. One will be a prophet, one a charismatic madman. The best aspect of this explosive series opener is Patton's take on relations between gods and men. Paula LuedtkeCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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In the brilliant Greek sunshine of a small Aegean island, Beth and Cesare meet—beginning a transformative love affair that spans two continents, two decades, and two lifetimes. Cesare is a privileged Italian boy, raised in a prosperous town where his family has lived for five hundred years; Beth, an ambitious American dreamer born to hippies and raised on a commune. The events of September 11 serve as a catalyst for the unfolding of their story, in which passion struggles against the inexorable force of patria.The novel of the American in Europe has a long and lustrous pedigree. L’America adds to this lineage, an evocative portrait of the intersection between Europe and America, the old and the new, and the dizzying, life-changing power of first love. Views: 20
When Shane died Susan was left with nothing but a mountain of debts and bitter memories of a marriage to a man she'd despised. Even in death, his will kept her from making things right between her and his family. Alone and broke, she had no choice but to sell the Hanchart land in order to survive. Luke Hanchart hadn't shed a tear over his cousin's untimely demise. And he wouldn't stand by and watch a piece of his family heritage be sold to an outsider. He intended to find a way around his cousin's will even if it meant marrying his untrustworthy widow. Luckily, Susan was responsible enough to agree with his sensible proposal to keep the ranch intact. What neither of them realized was that with the simple words ""I do,"" they were not only righting the wrongs of the past, but opening the door to a tempestuous future. Now nothing stood in the way of the passion that had smoldered between them for years. As they sealed their union with a kiss, sparks ignited and continued to burn. Publisher's Note: This book was previously published under another title. It has been revised for Cerridwen Press. Views: 20
From her fame as the Oscar-winning actress who uttered the famous line in Moonstruck, "I know who I am," to her lauded role as Mrs. Madrigal, the landlord of indeterminate gender in Tales of the City, to being the cousin of Michael Dukakis, presidential candidate, Olympia Dukakis has captured the imagination of a broad audience. Known for her straightforward talk, her lack of pretension, and her ongoing quest to explore ever more aspects of herself and her art, she is a role model for women of all ages.Olympia Dukakis's role in Moonstruck made her a household name, but before that overnight success came twenty-eight years of hard work. For nineteen of those years, she was an integral part of running the Whole Theatre Company in Montclair, New Jersey, while she and her husband raised their three children. She managed to "have it all" -- career, family, home -- before having it all became fashionable. Views: 20
