THE PICTURE. H, Madge, just stay as you are; there—your head a little more turned this way." "But, Raymond, I can\'t possibly make the toast if I do." "Never mind the toast; I shan\'t be many minutes," said the boy who was painting in the window, while he mixed some colours in an excited, eager manner. "The fire is very hot. Mayn\'t I move just to one side?" "No; it is the way that the firelight is falling on your hair and cheek that I want. Please, Madge; five minutes." "Very well," and the patient little sister dropped the toasting-fork, and folded her hands in her lap, with the scorching blaze playing on her forehead and cheek, and sparkling in her deep brown eyes. The boy went on with rapid, bold strokes, while a smile played over his compressed lips as he glanced at Madge every few moments. "The very thing I have been watching for—that warm, delicious glow—that red light slanting over her face;—glorious!" and he shook back the hair from his forehead, and worked on unconscious of how the minutes flew by. "Raymond, it is very hot." "There—one moment more, please, Madge." One minute—two—three, fled by, and then Raymond threw down his brush and came over to his sister\'s side. "Poor little Madge," and he laid his hand coaxingly on her silky hair. "Perhaps you have made my fortune." This was some small consolation for having roasted her face, and she went to look at the picture. "I\'m not as pretty as that, Raymond." "FACES IN THE FIRE." "Well, artists may idealize a little; may they not?" "Yes. What is this to be called?" "Faces in the Fire." "Shall you sell it?" "I shall try." THE COTTAGE IN THE COUNTRY. Raymond Leicester had not a prepossessing face; it was heavy, and to a casual observer, stupid. He had dark hazel eyes, shaded by an overhanging brow and rather sweeping eyelashes; a straight nose, and compressed lips, hiding a row of defective teeth; a high massive forehead and light hair, which was seldom smooth, but very straight. This he had a habit of tossing back with a jerk when he was excited; and sometimes the dull eyes flashed with a very bright sparkle in them when he caught an idea which pleased him,—for Raymond was an artist, not by profession, but because it was in his heart to paint, and he could not help himself. He was sixteen now, and Madge was twelve. Madge was the only thing in the world that he really cared for, except his pictures. Their mother was dead, Madge could hardly remember her; but Raymond always had an image before him of a tender, sorrowful woman, who used to hold him in her arms, and whisper to him, while the hot tears fell upon his baby cheeks,—"You will comfort me, my little son. You will take care of your mother and of baby Madge." And he remembered the cottage in the country where they had lived, the porch where the rose-tree grew, the orchard and the moss-grown well, the tall white lilies in the garden that stood like fairies guarding the house, and the pear-tree that was laden with fruit. He remembered how his mother had sat in that porch with him, reading stories to him out of the Bible, but often lifting her sad pale face and looking down the road as if watching for some one.... Views: 81
Review“Screamingly funny —I lost ten pounds just from laughing! Jen Lancaster says everything you wish you could but wouldn’t dare. Exhilarating!”--Beth Harbison, author of Shoe Addicts Anonymous and Secrets of a Shoe Addict “Lancaster has tackled body image, health, and weight loss with the honesty, humor, and a sharp sense of self-awareness that has become her hallmark. For anyone who has ever choked down a teensy portion of flavorless pre-packaged food in joyless despair….Jen has been there, and is here to show the silly side and the empowering. You will cheer for her successes, commiserate with her setbacks, and split your sides laughing at both. Whether you cozy up to this book with a bowl of air-popped corn and a diet coke, or a box of Oreos and a vanilla shake, one thing is certain. It is a delicious and guilt-free delight from start to finish.”--Stacey Ballis, author of Room for Improvement and The Spinster Sisters “Jen Lancaster is like David Sedaris with pearls and a super-cute handbag.”—Jennifer Coburn, author of The Queen Gene “Carrie Bradshaw meets Barbara Ehrenreich.” —_Kirkus Reviews_ “She’s bitchy and sometimes plain old mean, but she’s absolutely hilarious.”—_Chicago Sun-Times_Product DescriptionA NOTE FROM JEN LANCASTER: "To whom the fat rolls…I'm tired of books where a self-loathing heroine is teased to the point where she starves herself skinny in hopes of a fabulous new life. And I hate the message that women can't possibly be happy until we all fit into our skinny jeans. I don't find these stories uplifting; they make me want to hug these women and take them out for fizzy champagne drinks and cheesecake and explain to them that until they figure out their insides, their outsides don't matter. Unfortunately, being overweight isn't simply a societal issue that can be fixed with a dose healthy of positive self-esteem. It’s a health matter, and here on the eve of my fortieth year, I've learned I have to make changes so I don't, you know, die. Because what good if finally being able to afford a pedicure if I lose a foot to adult onset diabetes?"
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Willard F. Baker was an American author of children\'s books, particularly adventure stories for boys. He wrote two well known series\' of books: The Boy Ranchers series and the Bob Dexter series. Views: 81
Behind closed doors, the real games begin... Winning it big. That's the name of the game at Las Vegas's Liege Hotel and Casino, where the hottest fantasies hinge on a roll of the dice...and the tantalizing knowledge that anything could happen before sunrise. Dahlia is a burlesque dancer with a brain for business and a bod for sin. Her latest admirer may be a sweet—talking Casanova, but despite what he thinks she's not giving anything away for free. Views: 81
Product DescriptionAnother night on the Nightside...An ancient evil looms over Santa Luz. Prostitutes are showing up dead and eviscerated. And Jill Kismet just might be able to get her revenge against an old enemy. There's just one problem. Someone wants Jill dead--again. And if they have to open up Hell itself to kill her, they will. Sometimes, even when you're Jill Kismet, you don't have a prayer...About the AuthorLilith Saintcrow was born in New Mexico, bounced around the world as an Air Force brat, and fell in love with writing when she was ten years old. After taking second place in a fiction-writing contest sealed her addiction to the written word, it's often supposed that she has ink instead of blood filling her veins. She currently lives in Vancouver, WA with two small children and a houseful of cats. Oh. And a husband too. Her website is: http://www.lilithsaintcrow.com. Views: 80
On a hot summer afternoon in 1972, three teenagers drove into an unfamiliar neighborhood and six lives were altered forever.
Thirty five years later, one survivor of that day reaches out to another, opening a door that could lead to salvation. But another survivor is now out of prison, looking for reparation in any form he can find it.
THE TURNAROUND takes us on a journey from the rock-and-soul streets of the '70s to the changing neighborhoods of D.C. today, from the diners and auto garages of the city to the inside of Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital, where wounded men and women have returned to the world in a time of war. A novel of fathers and sons, wives and husbands, loss, victory and violent redemption, THE TURNAROUND is another compelling, highly charged novel from George Pelecanos, "the best crime novelist in America." --Oregonian Views: 80
The nightmares began for William Manchester 23 years after WW II. In his dreams he lived with the recurring image of a battle-weary youth (himself), "angrily demanding to know what had happened to the three decades since he had laid down his arms." To find out, Manchester visited those places in the Pacific where as a young Marine he fought the Japanese, and in this book examines his experiences in the line with his fellow soldiers (his "brothers"). He gives us an honest and unabashedly emotional account of his part in the war in the Pacific. "The most moving memoir of combat on WW II that I have ever read. A testimony to the fortitude of man...a gripping, haunting, book." --William L. Shirer Views: 80
"...there is..." Mrs. Tracy was saying quietly, "there is something we need to know about Jessica..."From this moment on, life is never quite the same for Tom and his seventh-grade classmates. They learn that Jessica has been in a fire and was badly burned, and will be attending St. Catherine's while getting medical treatments. Despite her horrifying appearance and the fear she evokes in him and most of the class, Tom slowly develops a tentative friendship with Jessica that changes his life. Tony Abbott is the author of over 35 books for young readers, including the extremely popular The Secrets of Droon series. In Firegirl he has written a powerful book that will show readers that even the smallest of gestures can have a profound impact on someone's life. Views: 79
From Publishers WeeklyDanticat's collection of stories detailing daily life under dictatorship in Haiti was a finalist for the National Book Award. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library JournalYA?Danticat, born under Haitian dictatorship, moved to the U.S. 12 years ago. Many of the stories in this moving collection reflect the misery she has observed from afar and leave readers with a deep sadness for her native country. Survivors at sea in a too-small, leaky boat endure any indignity for the chance at escape. Selections about those remaining in Haiti have a dreamlike quality. A woman must watch her mother rot in prison for political crimes. A young father longs so much to fly that he gives his life for a few moments in the air. A prostitute plies her trade while her son sleeps. "New York Day Women" shows what life might be like in the U.S. for immigrants without resources. Through unencumbered prose, the author explores the effects of politics on people and especially the consequences of oppression on women, the themes of which figure into each of these vignettes.?Ginny Ryder, Lee High School, Springfield, VACopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. Views: 79
Owner of the wildest, loneliest ranch this side of the Rockies, Luck MacKenzie hadn’t laid eyes on Carla McQueen for three years. Not since they day he’d sent his best friend’s kid sister storming from the Rocking M Ranch and out of his life - for what he thought was forever… Now Carla was back, lovelier and even more desirable than in his burning memories. But Luke knew he could never give in to the raging need to make her his woman. For he’d made a vow long ago - one that he was determined to keep - that he would never fall in love with Carla McQueen. No matter how badly his body and soul ached for her… Views: 77
