The incredible story of a woman fated to live her life in the shadow of one of history's most monstrous dictators. "Stalin's Daughter" is a work of narrative nonfiction on a grand scale. Svetlana Stalina's lifestory was more sensational than a Hollywood film, and forever shadowed by brutal tyranny and war. Svetlana Stalina's is a private life and yet it is also the story of the 20th century. No matter how many ways she tried, Svetlana could never escape her role as Stalin's daughter. She spent the first forty years of her life trapped within the gilded cage of the Kremlin; while she lived through the nightmares of mass starvation and the purges of millions, she was protected from that reality by the elitist, stifling world of Communist Party privilege. It could not save her from high drama and devastating loss in her personal life. The truth about her mother's violent death was hidden from her till she happened upon it at 16. Her first lover, a man twice her age, was exiled by her... Views: 25
The young wizard Jinx concludes his suspenseful and dryly humorous adventures in the magical forest of the Urwald with this third installment in the series that ALA Booklist says "deserves a permanent place in the children's fantasy pantheon, with Narnia and Earthsea" (Jinx's Magic, starred review). This action-packed conclusion is perfect for readers of fantasy adventure series such as Septimus Heap, the Sisters Grimm, and Fablehaven.The forest is under attack and its magic is fading. Can Jinx summon enough of his magic—the bright fire within him—to rescue Simon, defeat the Bonemaster, unite the Urwald, and fight off the invaders? He is the Urwald's only hope. . . . Views: 25
Fifteen Contestants, Twelve Episodes & One Chance to Rock Her WorldWhen my best friend Allie posted that I'd never been satisfied by a man on a prominent dating website it was meant to be a joke.A joke she was supposed to delete.But her post started an internet and media frenzy and, when I was offered fifty thousand dollars to star in my own reality competition show, I had no choice but to say yes.The show was supposed to help me meet a sexy companion who could finally take care of business.Unfortunately, the one person I want to win the undying allegiance of my, well, you know, can't be in the running at all.Now in an L.A. mansion with fifteen very persuasive contestants vying for my attention and one undeniably hot Production Assistant secretly getting it all the word ACTION has a whole new meaning... Views: 25
Maui County homicide detective and composite sketch artist Leila Kahana and her new partner, Detective Jonny Chung, take on the case of a beautiful college instructor found murdered on the island's famed Kaanapali Beach, even as Leila continues to be haunted by a frustrating case of serial murder. Joyce Yashiro, estranged from her husband, was suffocated when she was forced face down into the soft sand on the beach. The case is anything but simple as the victim’s life and those of the people around her are put under the microscope, with a killer watching every move the police make.In a seemingly unrelated case, Detectives Rachel Lancaster and Trent Ferguson investigate the execution-style murder of businessman Parker Breslin in front of his Kihei home. It seems that more than one person may have wanted Breslin dead and someone made sure it happened.As the two murder investigations progress with a myriad of suspects, a surprising connection between the cases and crimes emerge. But is there one killer or two? As these cases move full steam ahead, there is also a brutal serial killer on the loose. Dubbed the "Zip Line Killer," he has been terrorizing women on the island, strangling them with a zip line, for over a year, while staying safely out of reach of the authorities.Now he has struck again and Leila and Chung, along with their Lieutenant Blake Seymour, are determined to bring him down. Do they finally have a break that can put this frightening killer behind bars before he strikes again? Or is he merely toying with them while sizing up his next victim? Views: 25
Issue #164 of Beneath Ceaseless Skies online magazine, featuring stories by Bonnie Jo Stufflebeam and Tamara Vardomskaya and a novel excerpt by James Morrow. Views: 25
* My name is Larkspur, and I am an Elemental. My people use the power of the earth to sustain life and defy our enemies. I should be at my father's side as a royal princess. But as a half-breed, bastard child, that isn't going to happen. * As an Ender, one of my father’s Elite guards, it’s my job to do as I’m told. When my older sister is sent as an ambassador to the realm of the water elementals--the Deep--I have no choice but to accompany her as her bodyguard. With the death of the water elemental's King, a deadly battle for the throne begins; a battle we are forced to choose sides in. There are only a few things I know for sure. The ocean may be beautiful, but lurking in its depths are monsters to fear, the water I tread is teaming with danger and I am on my own. With no one to help, and no one to trust, I have to find a way to keep my sister safe, and stop a civil war. But the secrets within the Deep are far darker than any of us realized. Welcome . . . welcome to the Deep. Views: 25
"We'll be sisters 'til we die..."Margot Blythe is a professional sorority girl. As a Sisterhood Mentor for her beloved Delta Beta, she travels to colleges around the country, advising on serious sorority issues (and picking up all the gossip along the way). Margot is thrilled when she's invited back to her alma mater to assist the Delta Betas—but tragedy strikes when their chapter advisor drops dead during a meeting, sending shockwaves down sorority row.Shaken by the death—especially when foul play is suspected—Margot has to step up. Appointed the honor of serving as temporary chapter advisor, she now must manage the drama of fifty frazzled sorority women with secrets to hide; protect the house from the annual fraternity pledge pranks, which are more ominous than they seem; and worst of all, combat the ruinous rumors surfacing about a Delta Beta phone sex ring. If she wants to keep rival sororities and a suspicious (but dangerously cute)... Views: 25
Some fashion statements can kill...Mika Ito combines her two favorite things in life—textile design and live-action role-playing (LARP)—by creating costumes for her fellow Magic Battledome gamers. Lately, someone's been assaulting LARPers and stealing their costumes. Concerned for the safety of her friends, Mika hires Maltese Security...only to discover that the lead investigator is the super-hot stranger she just hooked up with. Carlos Castillo is all too familiar with Magic Battledome. A former legend in role-playing circles, he was all about gaming, until things went very, very wrong for him. Now he's forced to return to the game undercover—as Mika's boyfriend—to find some answers. Only playing “boyfriend” with his gorgeous one-night stand is more temptation than a guy can withstand... Someone wants the costumes enough to kill for them. And when it comes to murder, nothing is what it seems...** Views: 25
