Do you ever wonder what goes on in the mind of an author? If so, here's your chance to see what the muse does when nobody is looking? So come and travel with me as I see where the muse wants to visit next.In Wanderings of a Muse, the author shares her thoughts on everything from the meaning of words to one shots. Contained within these pages you will find tales of Greek Gods and Camelot. Memories and ruminations about colors and books will stretch your mind.Will you dare to find out where the muse wanders? Views: 687
In the spirit of Wendy Mogel's The Blessing of a Skinned Knee and Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman's Nurture Shock, New York Times "Your Money" columnist Ron Lieber delivers a taboo-shattering manifesto that explains how talking openly to children about money can help parents raise modest, patient, grounded young adults who are financially wise beyond their years.For Ron Lieber, a personal finance columnist and father, good parenting means talking about money with our kids. Children are hyper-aware of money, and they have scores of questions about its nuances. But when parents shy away from the topic, they lose a tremendous opportunity—not just to model the basic financial behaviors that are increasingly important for young adults but also to imprint lessons about what the family truly values.Written in a warm, accessible voice, grounded in real-world experience and stories from families with a range of incomes, The Opposite of Spoiled is both a practical... Views: 687
A prequel short story to the Miss Pierce's Protegees series, set thirty years before. Contains a secret engagement -- and betrayal!A prequel short story to the Miss Pierce's Protegees series, set thirty years before. Contains a secret engagement -- and betrayal! This is a 5,000-word short story that leads directly into book 1 of the series, PLANNING ON PASSION. Views: 686
An effective plan to help those suffering from wounds inflicted by the church find spiritual healing and a renewed sense of faith.Raised as a conservative Christian, minister and author Carol Howard Merritt discovered that the traditional institutions she grew up in inflicted great pain and suffering on others. Though she loved the spirituality the church provided, she knew that, because of sexism, homophobia, and manipulative religious politics, established religious institutions weren't always holy or safe. Instead of offering refuge, these institutions have betrayed people's hearts and souls. People have suffered religious abuse, she writes, which can be different from physical injury or psychological trauma.Though participation and affiliation in traditional religious institutions is waning, many people still believe in God. Merritt contends that many leave the church because they have lost trust in the institution, not in God himself.... Views: 686
Smoke Dugan is on the run. He dropped out of sight because of a misunderstanding with his employers about an airplane crash and $2.5 million in cash. But they've found out where he's living--a picturesque seaside city in Maine. And Denny Cruz, a high paid assassin, is on his way to collect him. A drama of abduction, car chases, and triple bluff, where escape and violent death are the only options.Smoke Dugan is on the run. A bomb-maker by profession, he dropped out of sight because of a misunderstanding with his employers about an airplane crash and $2.5 million in cash. Unfortunately, they've found out where Smoke's living--a picturesque seaside city in Maine. And Denny Cruz, a highly paid assassin, is on his way from New York to collect him. Smoke's girlfriend, Lola Bell, is unaware of his past. Sexy, smart, and tough, Lola's a weed that grew up through the cracks in an inner-city housing project. Her big eyes belie her secret weapon: she's spent a decade studying the martial arts. The tattoo on her shoulder reads "Girls Kick Ass." When Cruz decides to use Lola to get to Smoke, he has no idea what he's taking on. A time bomb is ticking as Smoke, Lola, Cruz, and anyone unlucky enough to come into their orbit are caught up in a drama of abduction, car chases, and triple bluff, where escape or violent death look like the only options. But nothing turns out quite as anyone might expect . . . Patrick Quinlan's fast-paced, edgy, and brilliantly original first novel introduces a cast of characters worthy of Tarantino in their sophistication and resourcefulness, in a stylish thriller that marks the debut of a stunning new talent.From Publishers Weekly:"James "Smoke" Dugan, a natural-born bomb maker, plays an unwitting role in a heinous tragedy when his talents are exploited by a New York mob boss; nobody's fool, Smoke double-crosses the mob in a final, lucrative play and then goes into hiding in Portland, Maine. In pursuit, world-weary hit man Denny Cruz begins to see in Smoke a role model for escaping from New York and from crime—unless, of course, Denny and his disparate crew succeed in killing him. Graphic action and exhilarating chases ensue as Quinlan's characters play cat-and-mouse through Portland, giving a memorable look at the city's patchwork culture of industrial shipping, tourism, yuppies and foreign refugees. Denny and Smoke share an unlikely, endearing sensitivity and intelligence, and Smoke's girlfriend, Lola, is a fierce delight. This is Maine resident Quinlan's debut, and it makes one hope that Smoke hasn't quit the life entirely." Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition. Views: 686
Seb Thomas is a self-doubting, out-of-place teenager who struggles to fit in. Haunted by a strange ogre-ish character, silver people and a leaf-covered twin, he discovers that there is more to reality than the obvious world around him. Accompanied by a small group of friends and his sister and guided by a group of teachers, Seb learns to accept his role as a protector of the balance all realities.Have you ever felt out of place and struggled to fit in? Seb Thomas has felt that way all is life. A disappointing first day at upper school sees the pattern of isolation and rejection begin to repeat itself. Already downhearted, matters take a turn for the worse when Seb encounters first an ogre, then sparkling silver figures, doorways that somehow appear and disappear and then a boy who is the leaf-covered image of himself. Now he fears he is losing his mind.Under the guidance of the school's head teacher, Aelfric Duir, Seb soon learns that there is more to reality than his previously narrow perspective of the world. He is shown the truth about life, about death and about the travel of souls.But Seb is plagued by self-doubt. He refuses to embrace the role he has been given. When the actions of a malicious soul threatens the lives and souls of Seb, his sister, his friends and Aelfric, Seb must resolve his own internal conflict and find a way to use the power Nature has given him to save them, but, more importantly, to preserve the balance of all realities and protect the freedom and travel of innocent souls. Views: 686
If it weren't for bad luck, Jeff Resnick would have no luck at all! While riding his new racing bike, Jeff is hit by an SUV, an accident which has a cascade effect on his life. He loses his job to a replacement, his girlfriend pressures him to move in, his bank accounts are hacked, and a restless spirit begs for his help—all in less than a week. But it's soon apparent that his so-called random accident is anything but, and the murder of a close friend has a hobbled Jeff on the run. Can he discover who's out to destroy his life—and threaten those he loves most? Views: 686
A free short story set in the roaring twenties by the author of the deliciously evocative love story A KISS FROM MR FITZGERALD. It's 1922 in Concord, Massachusetts, a time when women are expected to do nothing more than marry as well as they can, as soon as they can. And whether she likes it or not, this is exactly what Evelyn Lockhart's conservative parents expect of her. While Evie's waiting for her handsome, wealthy neighbour Charles to propose, she has convinced her parents to let her study literature at college. But when a chance meeting leads to a day of exciting adventure, Evie begins to realise that there could be so much more in her future than marriage, if only she dared imagine it . . . If you loved THE PARIS WIFE and Z: A NOVEL OF ZELDA FIZGERALD, you will devour this short story that takes place before the full-length novel A KISS FROM MR FITZGERALD.
'I loved this book.' Rachael Johns, bestselling author of THE PATTERSON GIRLS 'I'm calling it, Natasha Lester is our generation's Louisa May Alcott.' Tess Woods, award-winning author of LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT 'Remarkable, intelligent and heartfelt . . . one of the best Australian fiction releases of the year.' J. F. Gibson 'I absolutely adored Natasha Lester's book! What a GEM!' Sara Foster, bestselling author 'Exquisite!' Vanessa Carnevale, author and blogger ** Views: 685
Only a bear like Paddington could find himself taking a driving test by mistake, becoming a model at an art school, or being sawed in half at a magic show. No matter what adventures await, Paddington always comes through with flying colors. First published in 1979, Paddington Takes the Test is the seventh novel by Michael Bond, chronicling the adventures of this classic character. Paddington has warmed the hearts of generations of readers with his earnest good intentions and humorous misadventures. This edition of the classic novel contains the original text by Michael Bond and illustrations by Peggy Fortnum. Views: 685
One by one guests arrive at Ettie's house on Christmas Eve claiming they've been invited to a 'Christmas dinner they'll never forget.' Among the guests are Ettie's estranged daughter, Myra, and the retired Detective Crowley. When a man is found dead in the widows' front yard, Crowley immediately takes over and determines that the man has been murdered. Crowley soon learns that the man was an enemy of Myra's. Can Ettie and Elsa-May find out who sent out those Christmas invitations? Will the sisters be able to find the real killer and prove that Myra had nothing to do with the man's death? Views: 685
Amelia Westby always tells the truth, a terrible curse in a society that values little white lies. When she meets Tavis McGuire, she finds a way to escape the scrutiny of London's jaded ton. Tavis is passionate and caring, offering Amelia a chance at a new life, but when a dangerous secret threatens to destroy their happiness, Amelia must break her curse or lose the man she loves. After his brother's death, Tavis McGuire returns from the continent to inherit the Earldom of Stanton, an estate near financial ruin. To save his home and clear his family's name, he becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of espionage. When his investigation leads him to a beautiful woman who holds information he needs to catch a traitor, Tavis must decide whether to honor his duty to his country or to follow his heart. Views: 685
Who needs monsters when you have your fellow humans to worry about? Pirates are the bane of interstellar travel. So when Lora wakes up in a low-ox hold with the bodies of her crew, it’s pretty clear what happened. But why is she still breathing, and wearing an emergency mask that’s not hers?Who needs monsters when you have your fellow humans to worry about? Pirates are the bane of interstellar travel. So when Lora wakes up in a low-ox hold with the bodies of her crew, it’s pretty clear what happened. But why is she still breathing, and wearing an emergency mask that’s not hers?Cosmic Justice is part of a series of thrilling, short genre stories. They can be anything from science fiction, to horror, high fantasy and detective noir. Most will be stand-alone stories, so you don’t have to worry about reading them in order. The description will tell you what to expect in each case, so just pick one that tickles your fancy.This is a short story. A neat, complete package of excitement and thrill that you can read in the time it takes to travel the average commute. Perfect when you’re looking for a dash of entertainment or distraction in a busy schedule. Or when you love stories and spaceships. Views: 685
Who is behind Emperor's clothing debacle? Why? Why did Jill push Jack down the hill? Who is killing the ladies of the night in Pippen Hill? And what is going on at Old MacDonald's organic farm? Views: 685
