Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 Introduction Quick Reference Guide (Cheat Sheet of Instructions, Tips & Shortcuts - Laminated Card)

About the Author Beezix has been publishing quick reference computer guides for trainers, training companies, corporations, and individuals across the US and Canada for over 15 years. Founded by trainers, and with a strong focus on the learner, extensive industry experience made us aware of the need for a line of high-quality, trainer-produced courseware, and led to the creation of Beezix Quick Reference guides in 1994. Our cards are designed for casual computer users right through to trainers and trouble-shooters.

If It Isn't Love (Urban Renaissance)

About the Author Dwayne S. Joseph has been writing since he was 13 years old. In his senior year in high school he won second place in the National Scholastic Writing Competition for his short story “Playtime,” and at age 27 he became a professionally published author with the release of his novel The Choices Men Make . He’s the author of ten novels, including The Womanizers, Never Say Never, If Your Girl Only Knew, In Too Deep , and ' Til It's Gone , and has contributed short stories to several anthologies, including the Essence bestselling Around the Way Girls . He lives in Maryland with his wife and three children.

From My Front Porch (Urban Soul Presents)

Microsoft Excel 2010 Introduction Quick Reference Guide (Cheat Sheet of Instructions, Tips & Shortcuts - Laminated Card)

In Her Footsteps: 101 Remarkable Black Women from the Queen of Sheba to Queen Latifah

About the Author An avid history buff and science fiction fan, Annette Madden went on a quest to find the unsung heroines of African descent around the world to create her first book, In Her Footsteps . She lives in Oakland, CA with her husband and son.

God's Promises & Answers for Your Life

The Layman's Bible Dictionary (Limited Edition)

Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook: Core Rulebook I v.3.5

Amazon.com Review This Revised Edition (also called 3.5) of one-third of the Dungeons & Dragons trinity of core rulebooks (the other two being The Dungeon Master's Guide and The Monster Manual ) contains errata, rules updates, and outright changes to the already-published Third Edition rules. The majority of changes are made in a quest for the holy grail of game rules: balance. To prevent boredom and enable creative choices, no single ability, spell, character class, or weapon should have an overwhelming advantage over another. So what has changed? The spells Harm, Heal, and Haste have been toned down. Other spells have been adjusted or renamed. The spells Harm, Heal, and Haste have been toned down. Other spells have been adjusted or renamed. Weapons are classified by the Size of the intended wielder, not the size of the individual weapons. A noteworthy effect of this new weapon size system is that Small characters can wield small-size greatswords, longswords, longspears (with reach), and other two-handed weapons. Weapons are classified by the Size of the intended wielder, not the size of the individual weapons. A noteworthy effect of this new weapon size system is that Small characters can wield small-size greatswords, longswords, longspears (with reach), and other two-handed weapons. Classes have been tweaked. Bards and rangers received the most changes. Classes have been tweaked. Bards and rangers received the most changes. New feats have been added (some original, some from the builder books), and some feats have been altered (a Power Attack now gives double benefit for two-handed weapons). New feats have been added (some original, some from the builder books), and some feats have been altered (a Power Attack now gives double benefit for two-handed weapons). Redundant skills have been rolled into one (such as sense motive and read lips) while others have been renamed (such as "wilderness lore" becoming "survival"). Skill synergies have been expanded and knowledge skills now include appropriate monster lore. Redundant skills have been rolled into one (such as sense motive and read lips) while others have been renamed (such as "wilderness lore" becoming "survival"). Skill synergies have been expanded and knowledge skills now include appropriate monster lore. In addition to outright rules changes and tweaks, much of the core rule content has been clarified and updated with 3E errata. The combat section, in particular, is organized much better. Even the dreaded grapple rules are now relatively clear. A much-appreciated import from the D&D Miniatures game are new and simple rules for cover and line of sight, as well as clear photographic illustrations of the concepts of facing, attacks of opportunity, and reach. All in all, 3.5 is a welcome update. The typographical errors are forgivable, given the extent of the update. The new options available to players (in the form of new class features and feats) make the play experience more fun. Veterans will enjoy re-learning the game they love and exploring all the new character possibilities. Perhaps more importantly, they'll find that introducing new gamers to the admittedly formidable D&D ruleset is easier with 3.5 than it was with 3E--call it a +2 circumstance bonus. --Mike Fehlauer

I Am Watching You

Review “Perhaps one of the best psychological thrillers released this year…” — India Today From the Publisher A teenage girl has disappeared. What would I have done if I had seen her on a train, harassed by a group of strange men only the day before? Would I have intervened? And if not, how could I have forgiven myself when I learned what happened? These are questions I had never asked myself—until I picked up I Am Watching You . Reading about the impact on an ordinary family when their beloved daughter Anna goes missing, I was chilled to the bone, but also conflicted. Especially when Ella, the witness, begins to receive ominous postcards every night bearing the message “WHY DIDN’T YOU HELP HER?” Where should my sympathies lie? With the witness, who could have acted but didn’t and is tormented by guilt? With the remorseful friend who didn’t save Anna? With the victim’s parents, who just want to see their daughter alive and well? Or even with the mysterious watcher, who will do anything to “protect” those he loves? I have to be honest: there were times during this fast-paced roller coaster of a novel when I wasn’t certain. Now even the most benign interactions I see in the world seem to have a shadow lurking behind them. I Am Watching You had me absolutely hooked from the first page and kept me guessing until the last. This multilayered, suspenseful novel will pull you in so many directions, and you just might find yourself asking the same question I did: Would I have intervened? - Jack Butler, Editor About the Author For more than twenty-five years as a journalist—including fifteen years as a BBC TV news presenter—Teresa Driscoll followed stories into the shadows of life. Covering crime for so long, she watched and was deeply moved by all the ripples each case caused, and the haunting impact on the families, friends and witnesses involved. It is those ripples that she explores in her darker fiction. Teresa lives in beautiful Devon with her husband and two sons. She writes women’s fiction as well as thrillers, and her novels have been published in six languages. You can find out more about her books on her website (www.teresadriscoll.com) or by following her on Twitter (@TeresaDriscoll) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/teresadriscollauthor). Read more

The Chestnut Challenge: The Nocturnals Grow & Read Early Reader, Level 3

From School Library Journal Gr 1-3-As Tobin and Bismark finish playing of Chestnuts, a game much like Checkers, a stranger approaches, eager to prove he is the real champion. The boastful stranger, a chinchilla named Chandler, challenges timid Tobin the pangolin to the next match. As they begin to play, Chandler creates several distractions. Bismark the sugar glider and Dawn the red fox notice the Chestnuts board has changed each time they return to the game. They quickly realize Chandler is a cheater, moving chestnuts as the friends turn away from the board. Dawn and Tobin impart words of wisdom about playing for fun with no cheap tricks. In the end, Chandler joins the Nocturnals Brigade for a cheerful game. Back matter points readers to free content online as well as facts about nocturnal animals. VERDICT Fans of the series will find colorful illustrations interspersed with text to help young independent readers follow the story. Additionally, the theme of an honest game will likely resonate with this intended audience.-Lindsay Persohn, University of South Florida, Tampa and Polk County Public Schools.α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Review “Fans of the series will find colorful illustrations interspersed with text to help young independent readers follow the story…the theme of an honest game will likely resonate with this intended audience.” ― School Library Journal “Recommended List in Continuing Series." ― Kirkus Reviews “Young readers ages 6-8 will delight in this entertaining animal adventure while learning about the themes of playing games for fun and displaying good sportsmanship…especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library collections.” ― Midwest Book Review "This is such a fun Early Reader book that is not just entertaining to read, it also teaches the moral lesson of fair play. I believe parents/grandparents will enjoy reading this book to their little ones. Younger readers will love all the Nocturnals books, this is another fun-to-read story in this collection and a great bedtime book." ― Story Monsters “Hecht successfully set the stage for more adventurous outings down the road...” ― Publishers Weekly “The series addresses bullying and empathy in an easy, accessible way, and the books are meant to be read aloud.” ― New York Post About the Author Tracey Hecht is a writer and entrepreneur. The American Booksellers Association chose the first book in her critically acclaimed middle grade series, The Nocturnals: The Mysterious Abductions , as a Kids’ Indie Next List pick. In addition, her Grow & Read early reader book, The Chestnut Challenge , was given a Mom’s Choice Gold Award. In partnership with the New York Public Library, Tracey created a Read Aloud Writing Program that she has since conducted―both in person and virtually―in over 150 schools, libraries, and bookstores across the country. Other books in the Nocturnals Grow & Read early reader collection include The Tasty Treat, The Moonlight Meeting, The Peculiar Possum, The Slithery Shakedown, The Kooky Kinkajou, The Best Burp and The Weeping Wombat . Tracey currently splits her time between New York City and Oquossoc, Maine, with her husband and four children. Josie Yee is an award winning illustrator specializing in children's books. She lives in New York City with her daughter, Ana, and their cat, Dude. Read more


Beware of the Bears!

Le Petit Chaperon rouge

Give Maggie a Chance

Review "As many of us finally learn, Maggie discovers she can overcome her own fears by helping a friend face his. Dean Griffiths sees these characters as dressed animals - cats, in fact, which allows him to give nasty Kimberley a particularly fierce presence - one that probably mirrors the way any child might visualize a dreaded enemy." -- City Parent "This lovely book will resonate with many schoolchildren...Wishinsky's well-crafted text uses rhythms of the folktale - a classic genre for underdog stories - to increase dramatic tension, particularly in its repetition of threes. Like many folktale heroes, Maggie wins in her third encounter with Kimberly. Maggie's fantasies of revenge also come in threes - she longs for her foe to be removed by a giant wave, a giant bird, then a giant troll. Dean Griffiths' wonderful illustrations perfectly capture the strong emotions of the story. The big surprise here is that all of the characters are cats! Primly clad in dresses, jackets, and shoes, Maggie and her classmates are completely anthropomorphized. This makes for some sly humour (Maggie's toys are mice and dogs)...This is a book that will surely be popular with children struggling with their own Kimberlys at school." -- Quill and Quire "Most school aged children and adults will be able to identify with this storyline. Readers will sympathize with Maggie's dilemma because there always seems to be a "Kimberly" in each classroom...This book will serve as a good example to struggling students not to give up but to keep trying. Public speaking is a very common fear, one that many children carry forward into adulthood. Griffith's soft muted watercolour illustrations depict cats in this story as the main characters...Kimberly's rude, snide remarks are wonderfully shown in her facial expressions...School and public libraries always need another addition to their collections dealing with fear, teasing and courage. This would be a good book to use in classrooms to start a discussion about teasing with young primary students." -- CM Magazine "In making the surprise decision to cast Wishinsky's characters as cats (when no clues were provided by the prose), Dean Griffiths took a risk that proved enormously successful. Although the cats are dressed in children's clothing and show human emotion, they retain their essential cat-ness. And, in distancing the story from the children themselves, perhaps Griffiths has allowed for children to experience an even closer empathy with the characters, in the same way that therapists working with children can get children to talk to and about puppets in ways that they would not do directly." -- Children's Book News Book Description Blue Spruce Award nominee Chocolate Lily Awards nominee Resource Links "Best of 2002" Tiny Torgi nominee About the Author Frieda Wishinsky is the author of many books for children including Give Maggie A Chance , So Long Stinky Queen , No Frogs for Dinner , Please Louise , The Canadian Flyer series, and the Governor General's Award finalist, Each One Special She lives with her husband in Toronto, Ontario A nominee for the Mr Christie's Book Award for Ballerinas Don't Wear Glasses , Dean Griffiths has illustrated a number of books, including The Patchwork House , The Lighthouse Dog , Loon Lake Fishing Derby and Fairy Dean lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, with his wife and three cats Read more

Stealing the Future: An East German Spy Story (East Berlin)

Review 'An authentic atmosphere of tension and uncertainty ... The brilliance of Stealing the Future lies in the honest portrayal of a young country and its idealistic inhabitants struggling to keep alive their dream of freedom, justice and equality in the face of international and domestic opposition.' (Jo Lateu, New Internationalist )'A compelling re-imagining of East Germany's peaceful revolution in 1989--exploring what might have been. As Europe grapples with the consequences of austerity, this novel poses questions both about the lost chances of 1989, and about how we organise our society--questions that are becoming more relevant with each passing day.' (Fiona Rintoul, author of The Leipzig Affair )'Creates the perfect atmosphere that existed around the fall of the wall: the sense of hope dashed by the awful reality of reunification.' (Peter Thompson, The Guardian )'An intriguing and gripping page-turner of a thriller--believable and exciting. More than that, though, it's an exploration of power - political, economic and electric power; and what it might be like, day to day, to put our ideals and hopes for self-determination into practice.' (Clare Cochrane, Peace News ) From the Back Cover Includes a tour of key locations from Stealing the Future About the Author Max Hertzberg, sometime Stasi files researcher and more recently a social change trainer and facilitator.  Stealing the Future is his debut novel, having previously co-written and edited A Consensus Handbook (2013) and How to Set Up a Workers' Co-operative (2012).  The second book in the series, Thoughts are Free, will be available in autumn 2016 - check out his website for previews and features: maxhertzberg.co.uk Read more

Berlin Butterfly: Release (Berlin Butterfly Series)

Review Excellent ending to a well written and well researched series surrounding the Berlin Wall. I absolutely loved all 3 books and look forward to other works from this author. -Betty BWhat a wonderful series of books. I really enjoyed reading this series and what an education this was. We tend to believe at times that we have so little, until we come across someone who has less. I am so happy the wall is down and the people are free of oppression. A must-read !- Lady BookwormAmazing final book to this incredible series. This series is a must read as you can see from all the other reviews. Moyes is a great story teller. The life of Ella likely mirrors real stories from East Germany and we see her/their strength to persevere through a brutal time in history. Looking forward to more from author Moyes. -Greg

The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris: from an exciting new voice in historical fiction comes a gripping and emotional novel

About the Author Daisy Wood worked in publishing for some years before leaving to concentrate on her own writing. She has had several children’s books published, both historical and contemporary, and is happiest rooting about in the London Library on the pretext of research. She lives in south London and when not locked away in her study can be seen in various city parks, running after a rescue Pointer with a Basset Hound in tow. --This text refers to the paperback edition. Review Praise for Daisy Wood: 'A ticking time-bomb of intrigue, wrapped around stark but rich descriptions of the Blitz. An unforgettable wartime debut.' Mandy Robotham, internationally bestselling author of The Berlin Girl ‘I couldn’t put it down. My favourite kind of historical fiction.’ Reviewer ‘Wonderful.’ Reviewer ‘Brilliantly captures the essence of 1940s England. Highly recommended!’ Reviewer Set between WWII and today, and America and England, I totally loved this outstandingly amazing book. Five stars!’ Reviewer ‘Daisy Wood skillfully navigates between two timelines, and her descriptions of the war are really masterful.’ Reviewer ‘The perfect blend of historical fiction and espionage.’ Reviewer ‘Beautifully written… I highly recommend this treasure!’ Reviewer --This text refers to the paperback edition. Book Description from an exciting new voice in historical fiction comes a gripping and emotional novel --This text refers to the paperback edition. Read more

Code Name Sapphire: A World War 2 Novel

Review "Pam Jenoff brings her storytelling talent to Belgium with this fast-paced, heart-pounding tale of love, family, and the perils of resistance. Get your tissues ready for the final few chapters; Code Name Sapphire will break your heart and, at the same time, remind you of the courage and resilience of the human spirit." — New York Times bestselling author Kristin Harmel “From the opening scene to the final page, Code Name Sapphire will not let you go… This is a heart-racing and inspiring story of courage, family, and deep love.” —Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea "This is beloved Pam Jenoff at her masterful best, an unforgettable story of the abiding bonds of friendship and family with enough twists and turns to keep you turning pages long into the night." —Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of The Good Left Undone "Engrossing and emotionally stirring...A heart-wrenching exploration of the decisions women must make when their loyalties are put to the test in the most unimaginable of circumstances." —Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary Grounded in history, Jenoff’s latest captivating WWII tale entwines heartrending journeys of survival, betrayal, and human connection. — Booklist About the Author Pam Jenoff is the author of several books of historical fiction, including the NYT bestsellers The Lost Girls of Paris and The Woman with the Blue Star . She holds a degree in international affairs from George Washington University and a degree in history from Cambridge, and she received her J.D. from UPenn. She lives with her husband and three children near Philadelphia, where, in addition to writing, she teaches law school.

Angels of the Resistance: A Novel of Sisterhood and Courage in WWII

Review “ Angels of the Resistance brings to life a deadly-effective and deeply moving sisterhood in Lien and Elif Vinke, based on real-life sister operatives of the WWII Dutch resistance. Still reeling from a family tragedy when the Netherlands are invaded, the two teenage girls soon find themselves sabotaging trains, guiding downed airmen to safety, and staking themselves out as bait to assassinate unsuspecting Nazi targets. But at what cost to their family--and their souls? Noelle Salazar shines a light on the grit and tragedy behind resistance work, never forgetting the humanity in her beautifully drawn heroines!” —Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code “An unforgettable story of teenage sisters who risk everything to join the Dutch resistance during World War II. Combining meticulous research with riveting prose, Salazar crafts a story of family, romance and heroism that will keep readers riveted until the final page and beyond.” —Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star “ Angels of the Resistance is riveting historical fiction at its finest. Teen sisters risk all to join the Dutch Resistance, which Noelle Salazar writes in vivid detail as she highlights not only incredible historical details, but also the very real dangers faced by these brave women.” —Madeline Martin, New York Times Bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London “Noelle Salazar delivers another knock-out WWII novel with Angels of the Resistance. Her writing shines in this intimate and beautiful look at one family of Dutch women, and the lengths they will go to protect their own. Haunting, moving and unputdownable!” —Sara Ackerman, USA Today bestselling author of Radar Girls “Rich with meticulously researched details, this story of two teenage sisters who risk everything to join the Dutch Resistance is a dazzling tour-de-force of historical fiction. You’ll cheer and root for Lien and Elif as they face a tangled web of love, danger and heartbreak while fighting to save all they hold dear. ANGELS OF THE RESISTANCE will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.” —Karen Robards, bestselling author of The Black Swan of Paris Praise for Noelle Salazar's bestselling novel, The Flight Girls “This World War II drama highlights the role of women pilots and the sacrifices they made for our country. I read well into the night, unable to stop. The book is unputdownable.”— Debbie Macomber , #1 New York Times bestselling author"Heart-breaking, validating, exciting, entertaining, and swoon-worthy... There are some novels that readers look to as the pinnacle of World War II fiction and storytelling. Noelle Salazar’s The Flight Girls is sure to earn its rightful spot on that list in no time."— Hypable , 2019 Staff Favorite Pick"Rich historical detail, drama and dynamic characters…this saga has it all."— Woman's World “From now on, I’ll be recommending Noelle Salazar’s book to anyone who feels beaten down by the status quo.”— Forbes “An unforgettable and beautifully written historical novel about a fascinating piece of WWII history...masterfully weaves a story of female strength and friendship, with an emotionally resonant epic love story...I could not put this book down!”— Jillian Cantor , author of The Lost Letter and In Another Time "Salazar brings to life the stories of so many others who joined the WASP program and whose tales have been lost to history. A fascinating, captivating and triumphant read."— Roseanne Montillo , author of The Wilderness of Ruin and Atomic Women "Captivated me from the first page and never let go...a powerful tale of courage and sacrifice by the Women Airforce Service Pilots during WWII. A spectacular first novel."— Sara Ackerman , USA TODAY bestselling author of Radar Girls "Offers a glimpse into the lives of female WWII pilots, retrieving an underappreciated chapter in U.S. history... A fine suggestion for fans of both sweet romance and romantic historical fiction."— Booklist “A debut author uncovers a nearly forgotten piece of American history in this dynamic novel.”— Shelf Awareness About the Author Noelle Salazar is the USA Today bestselling author of The Flight Girls . Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she's been a Navy recruit, a medical assistant, an NFL cheerleader and always a storyteller. When she’s not writing, she can be found dodging raindrops and daydreaming of her next book. Noelle lives in Bothell, Washington, with her family.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars: A Novel

Review "Fascinating, meticulously researched, and utterly unique." -- Kelly Rimmer, New York Times bestselling author of THE WARSAW ORPHAN"Kristin Harmel is a master at spectacularly immersive historical fiction. With stunning lines you will want to savor and share, The Forest of Vanishing Stars is a powerful and compelling masterpiece, a significant story for our present time." -- Patti Callahan, NYT Bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis and Surviving Savannah"Inspiring and gripping . " -- New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict"What a triumph! Not since Alice Hoffman's The Dovekeepers , have I read such a spellbinding and immersive tale of a people's will to survive." -- Stephanie Dray, NYT Bestselling author of The Women of Chateau Lafayette"Unforgettable characters, nail-biting drama and deep emotion that endures long after the final words are forgotten.... The Forest of Vanishing Stars is a story that will touch, educate, transform and uplift." -- Santa Montefiore About the Author Kristin Harmel is the New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen novels including The Forest of Vanishing Stars , The Book of Lost Names , The Room on Rue Amélie , and The Sweetness of Forgetting . She is published in more than thirty languages and is the cofounder and cohost of the popular web series, Friends & Fiction . She lives in Orlando, Florida. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter One CHAPTER ONE 1922 The old woman watched from the shadows outside Behaimstrasse 72, waiting for the lights inside to blink out. The apartment’s balcony dripped with crimson roses, and ivy climbed the iron rails, but the young couple who lived there—the power-hungry Siegfried Jüttner and his aloof wife, Alwine—weren’t the ones who tended the plants. That was left to their maid, for the nurturing of life was something only those with some goodness could do. The old woman had been watching the Jüttners for nearly two years now, and she knew things about them, things that were important to the task she was about to undertake. She knew, for example, that Herr Jüttner had been one of the first men in Berlin to join the National Socialist German Workers’ Party, a new political movement that was slowly gaining a foothold in the war-shattered country. She knew he’d been inspired to do so while on holiday in Munich nearly three years earlier, after seeing an angry young man named Adolf Hitler give a rousing speech in the Hofbräukeller. She knew that after hearing that speech, Herr Jüttner had walked twenty minutes back to the elegant Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, had awoken his sleeping young wife, and had lain with her, though at first she had objected, for she had been dreaming of a young man she had once loved, a man who had died in the Great War. The old woman knew, too, that the baby conceived on that autumn-scented Bavarian night, a girl the Jüttners had named Inge, had a birthmark in the shape of a dove on the inside of her left wrist. She also knew that the girl’s second birthday was the following day, the sixth of July, 1922. And she knew, as surely as she knew that the bell-shaped buds of lily of the valley and the twilight petals of aconite could kill a man, that the girl must not be allowed to remain with the Jüttners. That was why she had come. The old woman, who was called Jerusza, had always known things other people didn’t. For example, she had known it the moment Frédéric Chopin had died in 1849, for she had awoken from a deep slumber, the notes of his “Revolutionary Étude” marching through her head in an aggrieved parade. She had felt the earth tremble upon the births of Marie Curie in 1867 and Albert Einstein in 1879. And on a sweltering late June day in 1914, two months after she had turned seventy-four, she had felt it deep in her jugular vein, weeks before the news reached her, that the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne had been felled by an assassin’s bullet, cracking the fragile balance of the world. She had known then that war was brewing, just as she knew it now. She could see it in the dark clouds that hulked on the horizon. Jerusza’s mother, who had killed herself with a brew of poisons in 1860, used to tell her that the knowing of impossible things was a gift from God, passed down through maternal blood of only the most fortunate Jewish women. Jerusza, the last of a bloodline that had stretched for centuries, was certain at times that it was a curse instead, but whatever it was, it had been her burden all her life to follow the voices that echoed through the forests. The leaves whispered in the trees; the flowers told tales as old as time; the rivers rushed with news of places far away. If one listened closely enough, nature always spilled her secrets, which were, of course, the secrets of God. And now, it was God who had brought Jerusza here, to a fog-cloaked Berlin street corner, where she would be responsible for changing the fate of a child, and perhaps a piece of the world, too. Jerusza had been alive for eighty-two years, nearly twice as long as the typical German lived. When people looked at her—if they bothered to look at all—they were visibly startled by her wizened features, her hands gnarled by decades of hard living. Most of the time, though, strangers simply ignored her, just as Siegfried and Alwine Jüttner had done each of the hundreds of times they had passed her on the street. Her age made her particularly invisible to those who cared most about appearance and power; they assumed she was useless to them, a waste of time, a waste of space. After all, surely a woman as old as she would be dead soon. But Jerusza, who had spent her whole life sustained by the plants and herbs in the darkest spots of the deepest forests, knew that she would live nearly twenty years more, to the age of 102, and that she would die on a spring Tuesday just after the last thaw of 1942. The Jüttners’ maid, the timid daughter of a dead sailor, had gone home two hours before, and it was a few minutes past ten o’clock when the Jüttners finally turned off their lights. Jerusza exhaled. Darkness was her shield; it always had been. She squinted at the closed windows and could just make out the shape of the little girl’s infant bed in the room to the right, beyond pale custard curtains. She knew exactly where it was, had been into the room many times when the family wasn’t there. She had run her fingers along the pine rails, had felt the power splintering from the curves. Wood had memory, of course, and the first time Jerusza had touched the bed where the baby slept, she had been nearly overcome by a warm, white wash of light. It was the same light that had brought her here from the forest two years earlier. She had first seen it in June 1920, shining above the treetops like a personal aurora borealis, beckoning her north. She hated the city, abhorred being in a place built by man rather than God, but she knew she had no choice. Her feet had carried her straight to Behaimstrasse 72, to bear witness as the raven-haired Frau Jüttner nursed the baby for the first time. Jerusza had seen the baby glowing, even then, a light in the darkness no one knew was coming. She didn’t want a child; she never had. Perhaps that was why it had taken her so long to act. But nature makes no mistakes, and now, as the sky filled with a cloud of silent blackbirds over the twinkling city, she knew the time had come. It was easy to climb up the ladder of the modern building’s fire escape, easier still to push open the Jüttners’ unlatched window and slip quietly inside. The child was awake, silently watching, her extraordinary eyes—one twilight blue and one forest green—glimmering in the darkness. Her hair was black as night, her lips the startling red of corn poppies. “ Ikh bin gekimen dir tzu nemen ,” Jerusza whispered in Yiddish, a language the girl would not yet know. I have come for you . She was startled to realize that her heart was racing. She didn’t expect a reply, but the child’s lips parted, and she reached out her left hand, palm upturned, the dove-shaped birthmark shimmering in the darkness. She said something soft, something that a lesser person would have dismissed as the meaningless babble of a little girl, but to Jerusza, it was unmistakable. “ Dus zent ir ,” said the girl in Yiddish. It is you. “ Yo, dus bin ikh ,” Jerusza agreed. And with that, she picked up the baby, who didn’t cry out, and, tucking her close against the brittle curves of her body, climbed out the window and shimmied down the iron rail, her feet hitting the sidewalk without a sound. From the folds of Jerusza’s cloak, the baby watched soundlessly, her mismatched ocean eyes round, as Berlin vanished behind them and the forest to the north swallowed them whole. --This text refers to the hardcover edition. Read more

The Girls in Navy Blue: A Novel

Review "THE GIRLS IN NAVY BLUE had me smiling from first page to last! When the US Navy admits women to the ranks during World War I, three intrepid yeomanettes answer the call: Blanche the dashing suffragette, Marjory the German immigrant, and Vivian the preacher's daughter on the run from the police. Friendship, duty, and the struggle of making their way in a man's world will bind the three together, and their secrets will resound through the next fifty years--until Blanche's great-niece, reeling from losses and desperate for home, will pick up the pieces. Alix Rickloff pens a lovely coming-of-age tale: brave women making waves in a war-torn world." — Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author “The unforgettable story of the very first women allowed to join the US Navy in World War I, and three friends with private reasons of their own for enlisting—reasons that go well beyond duty and patriotism. The Girls in Navy Blue is an enthralling story about sisterhood, and the secrets we leave behind. A delight from the first page to the last!” — Lecia Cornwall, author of The Woman at the Front "The Girls in Navy Blue is a nostalgic and eye-opening journey into the almost forgotten story of the women who served in the U.S. Navy during World War One. Rickloff has written a riveting reminder that the bonds of found family can be stronger than blood." — Kaia Alderson, author of Sisters in Arms "The Girls in Navy Blue shines a light on the wartime experiences of servicewomen known as “the yeomanettes”, the first women to join the United States Navy. In this compelling story of ground-breaking women and the dangerous secrets they keep, Alix Rickloff brings the past vividly to life." — Christine Wells, author of The Wife's Tale "Alix Rickloff’s THE GIRLS IN NAVY BLUE is a thrilling story showcasing the wartime contribution of a forgotten sisterhood of soldiers:  the yeomanettes, brave women who answered the call during the First World War and served their country with dignity and resilience. Pulling together the experiences of three yeomanettes and one of their descendants, Rickloff beautifully depicts how secrets and sisterhood can resonate through the years." — Bryn Turnbull, author of The Woman Before Wallis "This extraordinary novel follows the stories of strong women who undertake struggles and become stronger for it." — Library Journal “In this compelling and heartwarming novel, Alix Rickloff shares with us two women, mother and daughter, whose tragic and triumphant lives intertwine through two world wars. The story pulls us into the universal struggle of all women to find their places in their worlds. I was deeply moved by Secrets of Nanreath Hall .” — Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author “Two women and two wars separated by a generation filled with secrets that kept me turning pages to get to the mysterious truth. At the heart, this is a novel about searching for one’s identity. The vivid writing combined with such an intriguing story make Alix Rickloff an exciting voice in historical fiction.” — Renée Rosen, USA Today bestselling author, on Secrets of Nanreath Hall “Alix Rickloff’s debut is a delight—beautifully written with fascinating characters, rich historical detail and an intriguing family mystery that keeps the pages turning.” — Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author, on Secrets of Nanreath Hall “Telling an elegant tale about a mother and daughter trying to find themselves in the midst of two very different world wars, Alix Rickloff establishes herself as an up-and-coming talent in the historical fiction genre.” — Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author, on Secrets of Nanreath Hall “In this engaging and deftly plotted novel, Alix Rickloff introduces us to two heroines who are emblematic of their time yet also manage to transcend its limitations, and who are so memorable and richly portrayed that they all but leap off the page. I loved Secrets of Nanreath Hall , Alix Rickloff’s first foray into historical fiction, and I eagerly await more from this sensitive and gifted novelist.” — Jennifer Robson, international bestselling author “A wonderful blend of smart writing, memorable characters, and World War II imagery all centered on the hunger each one of us has to give love and receive it. A great read for not only devotees of period fiction, but anyone who craves a well-told story.” — Susan Meissner, author of A Bridge Across the Ocean on The Way to London “ The Way to London manages to combine a sense of epic sweep with a very intimate look at one woman’s emotional transformation, as the war drives Lucy Stanhope from Singapore to Cornwall to London--and, finally, to the most difficult destination of all: a sense of her own self and the place she belongs. I didn’t want the journey to end!” — Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author on The Way to London “A gripping page-turner about a sisterhood of trailblazing women, the secrets they kept, and sacrifices they made. Rickloff’s compelling characters come to life off the page and make the reader invested in them until the very end. A fantastic read!” — Laura Kamoie, NYT Bestselling author of MY DEAR HAMILTON “Rickloff delivers an engrossing novel of a young woman’s coming of age. Like all of Rickloff’s novels, the heart of the story is her characters, their emotional growth and strength, blended with wonderful storytelling, descriptions and dialogue that compel readers to believe they are a part of the action.” — RT Book Reviews on The Way to London “Alix Rickloff has penned an entertaining novel…Recommended.” — Historical Novels Review on The Way to London “Featuring a strong heroine and an emotional journey, The Way to London is a beautiful story of love, friendship, and the strength of the human spirit set against the backdrop of the tumultuous events of World War II.” — Chanel Cleeton, author of Next Year in Havana on The Way to London “an emotional and fascinating journey into the hearts of many women. [...] Many will find the soap-opera plotline, likable characters, colorful backdrop and the quest for answers to decades-old questions as much fun as a Downtown Abbey episode.” — RT Book Reviews on Secrets of Nanreath Hall About the Author Alix Rickloff is a critically acclaimed author of historical and paranormal romance. Her previous novels include the Bligh Family series, the Heirs of Kilronan trilogy, and, as Alexa Egan, the Imnada Brotherhood series.

The Dressmaker’s Secret: A totally gripping and absolutely heartbreaking World War 2 page-turner

The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre

Review “ The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre braids espionage, fashion, and a broken-but-unbowed heroine together into one fascinating tale. Natasha Lester weaves a triple-stranded delight!" —Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye “Natasha Lester has done it again with this sumptuously written page-turner ! Alix St. Pierre is everything that makes an admirable heroine – independent, plucky, and clever as the story spans from the fashionable world of Dior in Paris to the fascinating intrigue of international espionage in neutral Switzerland. The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre is a captivating novel that readers will absolutely adore. ” —Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London "Natasha Lester has expertly woven a brilliant heroine who is as brave in the fashion world as she is spying on the enemy. From page one, I was completely captivated by her daring and enamored with the glamour of Paris fashion. Unputdownable! ” —Eliza Knight, USA Today bestselling author of The Mayfair Bookshop “Natasha Lester weaves an intricate plot of espionage and revenge around fascinating true facts about the war and its aftermath. A thrilling read.” —Ruth Druart, author of While Paris Slept “An enthralling page turner! Luxuriant and opulent, just like Dior’s glorious gowns.” —Tania Blanchard, author of The Girl from Munich “Sparkling and complex, like vintage champagne. In The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre , Natasha Lester gives us a brilliant, fascinating and multi-layered heroine whose dangerous past as a spy in World War II comes to threaten her future in glamorous post-war Paris. Lester’s masterful storytelling held me enthralled from the first page! ” —Christine Wells, author of Sisters of the Resistance Review Beautifully written and intimately researched. Magnifique!-- "Hazel Gaynor, NYT bestselling author of When We Were Young & Brave"The novel kept me up at night, turning the pages faster and faster.-- "Janet Skeslien Charles, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Library"This meticulously researched novel is about the lengths people will go to protect one another, and a love that lasts a lifetime. The Paris Secret is a tear-jerker, so stock up on tissues, sit in a quiet corner and don't move until you've finished this extraordinary book.-- "Marie Claire"Will delight fans of Kate Morton or anyone in need of a gorgeously wrought . . . tale of love, loss, courage, and compassion.-- "Booklist, starred review, on The Paris Secret" --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition. About the Author Natasha Lester is the New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Seamstress, The Paris Orphan and The Riviera House , and a former marketing executive for L’Oréal. Her novels have been translated into many different languages and are published all around the world. When she’s not writing, she loves collecting vintage fashion (Dior is a favorite!), practicing the art of fashion illustration, learning about fashion history—and traveling to Paris. Natasha lives with her husband and three children in Perth, Western Australia. --This text refers to the hardcover edition. Read more

Little Red Riding Hood

Review "Because the pages of die-cut art are dead black on one side and white with red and black highlights on the other, not only are several layers visible at once, but the overlaps create ominous shadows and depths behind the figures." --Kirkus

A Veiled Deception (A Vintage Magic Mystery)

The Time Seekers

Review "This is a book that I would have loved as a child and just wish, as an adult, that I could have written!" - K.S. Wallace; "Was I glad when I sat down to read this book - pure undiluted escapism. This author is truly inventive and gifted. It is such a magnificently crafted story with so many unexpected twists and turns that kept me enthralled. Immediately from the start, suspense was created and I was captivated." - Elle; "The author has a wonderfully gifted way of unfolding a mesmerizing story that is sure to entertain all ages." - Ginger82; "I would recommend this book to adults as well as children and look forward to future books from D. A. Squires." - K. Lewis; "This new author has hit it out of the ball park, truly a book for all ages." - V. Pratt. All are Amazon 5 star reviews.

"The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living"


Foodchain

The Harlem Hellfighters

Amazon.com Review Amazon Exclusive: Essay by Max Brooks (adapted from the author’s note within The Harlem Hellfighters ) I first learned of the Harlem Hellfighters from an Anglo-Rhodesian named Michael Furmanovsky when I was 11. Michael was working for my parents while getting his MFA in history from UCLA. He taught me about the British Empire, the Falklands War, Hiroshima, the Holocaust, and a host of other topics not covered in my fifth-grade western civilization class. Of all his after-school lessons, the one that left the deepest impression was the story of a unit of American soldiers who weren’t allowed to fight for their country because of the color of their skin. To a white, privileged kid growing up on the west side of L.A. in the 1980s, that kind of prejudice was just inconceivable. When I confessed that I didn’t know about them, he assured me that I wasn’t alone. Ten years later I was an exchange student at the University of the Virgin Islands. The experience brought me back into the orbit of the Hellfighters when, while walking through an old cemetery, I noticed some graves from 1918. I wondered if they might be casualties of the Great War, maybe even members of the 369th. I decided to ask my professor of Virgin Islands history. He was an African-American from the mainland, and to call him passionate would be a laughable understatement. With his beard and spectacles and flaring dashiki, he would rail against the historical crimes committed by white men of Europe and North America. Most heinous was the erasure of black accomplishments by white historians. Colonization, he would tell us, begins with the mind, and the best (or worst) way to colonize a people is to bury their past. “There were no black soldiers in World War I.” That was his dismissive answer to my question about the graves from 1918. When I started to argue, even bringing up the name “Harlem Hellfighters,” he assured me that I must have been confused with the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. I was shocked. Here was a scholar, a crusader, a thoughtful, driven man who’d made it his life’s mission to trumpet the glory of Africa and her diaspora, and HE didn’t know about the Harlem Hellfighters. I wish I could say that I decided then and there to write their story, but that would have to wait for nearly another decade. In the late 1990s, I was living back in L.A., just out of graduate school and trying to make a living as a writer. My decision to tackle the story of the Hellfighters came after watching two TNT made-for-TV movies about the Tuskegee Airmen and the Buffalo soldiers. I thought TNT might be interested in a story about World War I’s black heroes, especially after A&E’s successful Lost Battalion movie. I started collecting books about the subject (the most influential was and still is From Harlem to the Rhine by Arthur Little), and a year and several dozen drafts later, I pitched my screenplay to the TNT Network. They passed. So did everyone else. Things changed when I sent my script to actor/director LeVar Burton. “There are actually more than a couple Harlem Hellfighters scripts floating around Hollywood,” he told me during our meeting, “but yours comes closest to the truth.” He agreed that the subject matter would be difficult to sell to studios, but that by no means should that deter me. “I don’t have the power right now to make this movie,” he said, “but I’m not going to give up, and you shouldn’t either.” Thank you, Mr. Burton. Five years and what seemed like a lifetime later, an unexpected opportunity opened up in the world of comic books. In 2006, I began collaborating with Avatar Press on a graphic companion to my first book, The Zombie Survival Guide. I learned very quickly how different comic book writing was from prose, but how similar it could be to movie scripts. I also realized that comics presented a forum for telling very visual stories without the cumbersome budget of movies or television. It seemed the ideal medium for telling the story of the Harlem Hellfighters. It’s now been close to six years since I began working with William Christensen of Avatar Press and the amazingly talented artist Caanan White. And now it’s time to share this heroic regiment’s story of courage, honor, and heart with you. I hope that you are as captivated by it as I have been. From Booklist Brooks (World War Z, 2006) makes a U-turn from zombies with this fictionalized account of the famous all-black 369th Infantry. The opening scene of a trench bomb sets the stage for the whole book: endless, grimacing faces and buckets of gore, mostly in the form of exploded bodies splattering across the page. This intro also betrays the book’s chief concern: simply telling the story of WWI combat, albeit from an unusual point of view. As a result, the plot is fuzzy and the characters suitably enjoyable placeholders. We follow our diverse bunch from enlistment to training to the hell of France, where they fight through inhumane conditions with the utmost valor, and for what? Prejudice and humiliation at every turn. “They would rather see white Germans,” says one soldier, “instead of black Americans march in triumph up Fifth Avenue.” White’s appropriately cluttered art has the horrific shock value of EC Comics classics like Frontline Combat and Two-Fisted Tales, and the whole thing comes off as resolutely Tarantinoesque. The movie version should be along any second now. --Daniel Kraus Review NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “Writer Max Brooks and illustrator Caanan White hew closely to the true tale of the 369th Infantry Regiment...The horrors of war and the outrages of racism are vividly conveyed in a swift and suspenseful tale.” —U-T San Diego “Shattering...A visceral evocation of the horrors of trench warfare...A sharp reminder that venerating volunteer troops for their service is an ideal that has not always been a reality.” —Washington Post “[One] of of the most powerful books I've read so far this year...This is a stunning work of historical recovery and a very graphic graphic novel: bodies explode, rats feed on corpses, men are strafed and gassed. It's not pretty, but the "in your face" style of The Harlem Hellfighters is suited to dramatizing a crucial part of American history that hasn't been thrust forcefully enough into our collective faces.” —NPR, Fresh Air “Stunning... Like the regiment of African American soldiers it depicts, Harlem Hellfighters can’t be stereotyped or pigeon holed. It might not be your typical history book, but it packs one hell of a punch.” —Newsweek “A splashy, fun, gripping number, and an intriguing look at an oft-ignored footnote in the history books.” —New York Daily News “Moral complexity is just one of the novel's many achievements. Dialogue and imagery are often richly juxtaposed... White's illustrations render the grisly and graphic details of trench warfare with haunting immediacy... The sharp lines and shadowy depths of his sketches are absorbing and Brooks’ words are equally evocative. The dialogue is bleak, funny, and efficient... [Brooks’] careful research doesn’t sap the story of its speed and strength.” —Christian Science Monitor “Shines a literary klieg light on a woefully overlooked chapter of World War I...Bolstering Brooks’s storytelling muscle is the high-contrast black-and-white art of gifted Caanan White, whose graphic grit evokes Joe Kubert and 'Sgt. Rock'... A powerful comic that may do more than any previous work to illuminate the heroism of the 369th.” —Washington Post “The Harlem Hellfighters brings to life a long forgotten piece of American history. Bravo, Max Brooks, bravo.” —Spike Lee “An utterly fresh and shocking blend of storytelling and graphic art that takes us back to the global conflagration at the dawn of the last century and the heroic and outsized role brave African American soldiers played in turning the tide for the Allies. In an injustice oft repeated throughout our history, the heroic feats of the 'Harlem Hellfighters' were not just forgotten but deliberately suppressed by a nation eager to accept the Black man’s sacrifice but terrified to give him the slightest credit for it. Denied the ability to even defend themselves back home, the Hellfighters tear up the Western Front and terrify the Germans, facing down machine guns, rats, and poison gas with stoic relentlessness and deflected fury. White’s illustrations explode off the page and Brooks’ storytelling brings gripping action and anger to every page.” —Tom Reiss, Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Black Count “Brooks's text seethes with rage at the soldiers' mistreatment, but he insists that even the racists who saw them in action would have respected their accomplishments. Like the text, White's b&w art is intensely furious, emphasizing the war's chaotic horror. Reading the book is a painful, memorable experience.” — Publishers Weekly “ The Harlem Hellfighters is perhaps the first graphic novel taking as its theme a major episode in African American History, the heroic performance of black men in combat during World War I. Brilliantly dramatized by Max Brooks—author of such national bestsellers as World War Z and The Zombie Survival Guide— and stunningly illustrated by Caanan White, one of our foremost African-American comic book illustrators, the novel tells the gripping story of the often overlooked black men who served their country in combat against enemy forces during 'the Great War.' The Harlem Hellfighters served in combat longer than any other American unit, losing neither men nor ground, even as they fought entrenched racism within the U.S. military. Brooks and White tell a thrilling saga of noble perseverance, individual valor and sacrifice and collective triumph, showing how combat abroad in war contributed to the larger quest for civil rights at home. Informed by judicious historical research and vividly illustrated storytelling, this book itself is an historical “first,” and is a major contribution to our understanding of Black History.” —Henry Louis Gates, Jr., The Alphonse Fletcher University Professor, Harvard University About the Author MAX BROOKS is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of World War Z, The Zombie Survival Guide, and The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks. Read more

The Complete Persepolis: Volumes 1 and 2

Review Praise for Persepolis: Volume 1 A New York Times Notable Book • A Time Magazine “Best Comix of the Year” • A San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles Times Best Seller "A memoir of growing up as a girl in revolutionary Iran, Persepolis provides a unique glimpse into a nearly unknown and unreachable way of life.... That Satrapi chose to tell her remarkable story as a gorgeous comic book makes it totally unique and indispensable." — Time “Delectable... Dances with drama and insouciant wit.” — The New York Times Book Review “A stunning graphic memoir hailed as a wholly original achievement in the form. There’s still a startling freshness to the book. It won’t age. In inky shadows and simple, expressive lines—reminiscent of Ludwig Bemelmans’s “Madeline”—Satrapi evokes herself and her schoolmates coming of age in a world of protests and disappearances ... A stark, shocking impact.” —Parul Sehgal, “The 50 Best Memoirs of the Past 50 Years” The New York Times “A dazzlingly singular achievement.... Striking a perfect balance between the fantasies and neighborhood conspiracies of childhood and the mounting lunacy of Khomeini's reign, she's like the Persian love child of Spiegelman and Lynda Barry.” — Salon “A brilliant and unusual graphic memoir.... [Told] in a guileless voice ... accompanied by a series of black-and-white drawings that dramatically illustrate how a repressive regime deforms ordinary lives.” — Vogue "Odds are, you’ll be too busy being entertained to realize how much you’ve learned until you turn the last page.” —Elle.com “[A] self-portrait of the artist as a young girl, rendered in graceful black-and-white comics that apply a childlike sensibility to the bleak lowlights of recent Iranian history. . . . [Her] style is powerful; it persuasively communicates confusion and horror through the eyes of a precocious preteen.” — Village Voice Praise for Persepolis: Volume 2 "Wildly charming ... Like a letter from a friend, in this case a wonderful friend: honest, strong-willed, funny, tender, impulsive, and self-aware." — The New York Times Book Review "The most original coming-of-age story from the Middle East yet." — People "Elegant, simple panels tell this story of growth, loneliness, and homecoming with poignant charm and wit." — The Washington Post "Humorous and heartbreaking ... A welcome look beind the headlines and into the heart and mind of one very wise, wicked, and winning young woman." — Elle "Every revolution needs a chronicler like Satrapi." — San Francisco Chronicle "It is our good fortune that Satrapi has never stopped visiting Iran in her mind." — Newsweek "Persepolis 2 is much more than the chronicle of a young woman’s struggle into adulthood; it’s a brilliant, painful, rendering of the contrast between East and West, between the repression of wartime Iran and the social, political, and sexual freedoms of 1980’s Austria. There’s something universal about Satrapi’s search for self-definition, but her experiences in Vienna and Tehran are rendered with such witty particularity, and such heartbreaking honesty, that by the end of this book you’ll feel you’ve gained an intimate friend." —Julie Orringer, author of How To Breathe Underwater About the Author MARJANE SATRAPI was born in Rasht, Iran. She now lives in Paris, where she is a regular contributor to magazines and newspapers throughout the world, including The New Yorker and The New York Times. She is the author of Persepolis, Persepolis 2, Embroideries, Chicken with Plums, and several children's books. She cowrote and codirected the animated feature film version of Persepolis, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Her most recent film was a live-action version of Chicken with Plums.

Mammoth Books presents Christmas with the Dead

The Trouble with Peace (The Age of Madness Book 2)

About the Author Joe Abercrombie was born in Lancaster in 1974, spent much of his youth in imaginary worlds, and left school with a good idea of how to make stuff up. After graduating from Manchester University he worked as a TV editor, but he never stopped making stuff up, and his first book, The Blade Itself , was published in 2006. He has since written eight more novels and a collection of stories in his First Law and Shattered Sea series. He lives in Bath with his wife Lou and their three children Grace, Eve and Teddy, and makes stuff up full-time. --This text refers to the paperback edition. Review "A master of the genre."― Lev Grossman, #1 New York Times bestselling author "Abercrombie's satisfying plotting and expert subversion of genre expectations are sure to please. Readers will be gripped."― Publishers Weekly "Abercrombie squeezes your heart till it matches his beat. No one writes with the seismic scope or primal intensity of Joe Abercrombie."― Pierce Brown, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on A Little Hatred "Abercrombie continues to do what he does best . . . Buckle your seat belts for this one . . . . A vivid and jolting tale."― Robin Hobb, New York Times bestselling author, on A Little Hatred "Highly recommended - a funny, finely-wrought, terrifically energetic work of high fantasy. Seek it out."― Joe Hill on A Little Hatred "Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie, say that he's a master of his craft."― Forbes on A Little Hatred " A Little Hatred is Abercrombie at his very best: witty, wise, and whip-smart. Masterfully plotted . . . . I had high hopes for this book, and it exceed them all."― Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld, on A Little Hatred "Brutal, unforgiving, and terribly fun. Everything awesome readers have come to expect from Joe Abercrombie."― Brian McClellan, author of Sins of Empire, on A Little Hatred "With expert craft, Abercrombie lays the groundwork for another thrilling trilogy."― Publishers Weekly (starred review) on A Little Hatred " A Little Hatred may be the most accomplished work from a writer who many already consider a master."― SFF World on A Little Hatred --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Possession (GREYWALKER Book 8)

From Booklist In the eighth Greywalker novel, Seattle private investigator Harper Blaine reluctantly agrees to look into the odd case of a comatose woman who is apparently possessed. Harper, despite her own experience with the strange and unusual, is skeptical, but when she learns of two other, similar cases, she’s intrigued. Could someone or something be trying to communicate from the other side? And what, she soon wonders, does a woman responsible for dozens of deaths nearly a century ago have to do with what is happening today? Harper Blaine is an interesting character. As faithful series readers know, a few years ago she died for two minutes, and now she is “one of the rare few who can move through the overlapping fringes of the world of the normal and that of the paranormal,” as she describes herself here. Richardson surrounds her with an assortment of well-drawn characters, human and otherwise, and gives her a good, solid mystery to solve. Fans of the previous series entries or of urban fantasy in general should be well pleased. --David Pitt --This text refers to the hardcover edition. About the Author Kat Richardson lives aboard a boat in Seattle with her husband and a small pit bull—who is not the world’s largest ferret, no matter how she pretends. Kat rides a motorcycle, shoots target pistol, and has been known to swing dance, sing, and spend insufficient time at the gym. --This text refers to the hardcover edition. Review Praise for Kat Richardson’s Greywalker Novels: “Standing head and shoulders above the plethora of urban fantasies, Richardson’s latest tale should appeal to fans of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files and Tanya Huff’s Victoria Nelson series.”— Library Journal “Richardson’s once-playful Harper is clearly evolving into a supernatural force to be reckoned with.”— Publishers Weekly “Harper is one of my favorite paranormal detectives....This series is one of the best examples of true urban fantasy.”—Night Owl Reviews“Richardson has such a natural knack for storytelling...completely captivating.”— CrimeSpree Magazine --This text refers to the hardcover edition. Read more

Kings in Disguise: A Novel

Review "Utterly masterful." ― Ron Evry, Fantagraphics Best Comics of All Time "Wonderful, earnest storytelling . . . a book made by intelligent, caring human hands." ― Art Spiegelman "The best case yet that a mainstream novel can be told in comics form." ― Max Allan Collins, writer of Dick Tracy About the Author James Vance (1953―2017) was an American comic book writer and author of the graphic novels Kings in Disguise and On the Ropes . Dan E. Burr has been an illustrator for DC Comics’s Big Book Series . He lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Alan Moore is a magician and performer, and is widely regarded as the best and most influential writer in the history of comics. His seminal works include From Hell , V for Vendetta , and Watchmen , for which he won the Hugo Award. He was born in 1953 in Northampton, UK, and has lived there ever since.

The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath ($.99 Horror Classics)

From the Inside Flap Six bone-chilling tales of bizarre beauty and awesome horror lurk in the dark of the soul, waiting to be called upon by the demons of nightmares, and let loose in the frightened mind. Only H.P. Lovecraft could conjure up these testaments to evil that will live inside of you forever.... --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition. About the Author Howard Phillips Lovecraft (1890 – 1937) — known as H.P. Lovecraft — was an American author who achieved posthumous fame through his influential works of horror fiction. Virtually unknown and only published in pulp magazines before he died in poverty, he is now regarded as one of the most significant 20th-century authors in his genre. In 1913 his conduct of a long running controversy in the letters page of a story magazine led to his being invited to participate in an amateur journalism association. Encouraged, he started circulating his stories; he was 31 at the time of his first publication in a professional magazine. By age 34, he was a regular contributor to newly founded Weird Tales magazine. In 1926 he produced some of his most celebrated tales including "The Call of Cthulhu". Never able to support himself from earnings as author and editor, he subsisted in progressively straitened circumstances in his last years; an inheritance was completely spent by the time he died at the age of 46. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

Sleep Tight

Messy Spirituality

From the Back Cover I Guess I'm Not a Very Good Christian . . . Do you feel like: I don't pray enough I don't read my Bible enough I don't share my faith enough I don't love God enough I'm not committed enough I'm not spiritual enough Then this book is for you. Messy Spirituality was written for the silent majority of us who have been convinced that we just don't do Christianity right. We spend most of our lives worried about what we don't do instead of what we have done, focused on our imperfections instead of God's fondness for the imperfect. Why? Because we've been bombarded with books, tapes, talks, seminars, and movies convincing us that real Christianity is all about perfection. Michael Yaconelli dares to suggest that imperfection, infiniteness, and messiness are, in fact, the earmarks of true Christianity; that real Christianity is messy, erratic, lopsided . . . and gloriously liberating.  What if genuine faith begins with admitting we will never have our act completely together? Maybe messy disciples are exactly the kind of imperfect people Jesus came to earth for and whose company he actually enjoyed--and still enjoys. If you want to find Jesus today, look for him in the midst of burned-out believers, moral misfits, religious incompetents . . . men and women whose lives are, well, messy.  Messy Spirituality is a strong antidote for the spiritual perfectionism in us all. Here are truths that can cut you loose from the tyranny of ought-to's and open your eyes to the deep spirituality of being loved, shortcomings and all, by the God who meets you and transforms you in the midst of a messy and unpredictable life. About the Author Mike Yaconelli is the author of bestselling books Dangerous Wonder and Messy Spirituality. He was the senior editor for the Wittenburg Door (1971-1996), a satirical religious magazine noted for its irreverent humor, in-depth interviews, and commitment to reforming the evangelical church. He was the cofounder of Youth Specialties, an international organization devoted to equipping youth workers through training and resources. Mike was a prophetic voice in the church-at-large and was a devoted husband and father until his death in 2003.

Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love

Review "So to the hopeless romantics out there I say, Highly Recommended - have at it, this is a must-read. To the snarling cynics like me who mentally have their arms akimbo and their eyebrow raised, I say pick up Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love and surprise yourself by discovering the romantic in you." -- BookIdeas.com " Sand Dollar , a fantasy romance by Sebastian Cole, lives up to its subtitle, A Story of Undying Love ... bookreview.com considers Sand Dollar an excellent romance novel and looks forward to reading more from Sebastian Cole." -- BookReview.com " Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love is Sebastian Cole's debut novel, but I think he will have a long list of best sellers if he keeps going at this rate. It will renew your faith in finding and keeping that one true love." -- Kate Patrick" Sand Dollar is a strong pick for general fiction and romance collections, highly recommended." -- Midwest Book Review " Sand Dollar is one of those rare books that makes you feel, laugh and cry all at the same time. This smashing debut by Sebastian Cole reads like the best of Nicholas Sparks with just enough schmaltz. Moving and emotive, it's every bit The Notebook done up for summer."-- Jon Land, bestselling author of Pandora's Temple From the Author Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love is a story about a love gained, a love lost, and through it all, a love that just won't die. Although it's considered to be a romantic fantasy -- a kind of cross between The Notebook and The Sixth Sense -- the book distinguishes itself from other romance novels in its genre by its honest portrayal of life as a recurring tragedy, a roller coaster ride of sorts between joy and heartache, and the faith needed to overcome it. Sand Dollar is a thought-provoking, emotional read that, among other things, might even have you yelling at the main characters at times. And not only is it filled with plenty of twists and turns, but the surprise ending will knock your socks off! From the Back Cover What if you lost your true soul mate, the one person in life you were meant to be with? Would your love ever truly die? Not if you're Noah Hartman, who refuses to let go of Robin after she inexplicably abandons their love and disappears from his life seemingly forever, her hidden secret yet to be discovered.  And when you finally accept your fate and do your best to move on with your life, what do you say when the unthinkable happens: your true love Robin reappears as your wedding ceremony to another woman is about to commence, looks deep into your soul with her loving, tear-filled eyes, and tells you the one thing you've desperately longed to hear for all of these years?  But the ending to this heart-wrenching love story has yet to be written, as Noah, old and sick in a hospital bed, tells his story of love and loss to Josh, a wise orderly at Mount Sinai Hospital. As his family members arrive to bid him goodbye, Noah discovers a far greater truth about his past, present, and future. Things are definitely not as they appear as the pieces of a shattered love are put back together in the remarkable final chapter of Noah's life. About the Author Sebastian Cole never intended on being a writer. He graduated from Brown University in the 80s, then worked briefly in New York before returning to Rhode Island to work in his family's business. Nineteen years later, he took a leap of faith and left the company to pursue his dreams, which has led him to where he is now: a novelist of romantic fiction. Cole writes from the heart, believing in true love, love at first sight, and finding that one person in life you're meant to be with.Cole's debut novel, Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love , was emotionally inspired by his own personal life experiences. Sand Dollar has won numerous awards, including being a winner of the Beverly Hills Book Award, a bronze winner of ForeWord Reviews Book Of The Year Award, a silver winner of the Feathered Quill Book Award, a finalist in the USA Best Book Awards, a finalist in the International Book Awards, a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Book Awards, and a finalist in ForeWord Firsts debut literary competition for first-time authors. Many have compared Cole to one of his favorite authors, Nicholas Sparks, whom Cole cites as his inspiration for becoming an author. Whether or not he ever achieves that kind of success, touching the lives of others through his writing has been the single most gratifying thing he has ever done.For more information, please visit SebastianColeAuthor.com. Read more

Blood Men: A Thriller

From Publishers Weekly New Zealander Cleave's disappointing U.S. debut focuses on the son of a notorious serial killer. When Edward Hunter was nine, his father, Jack (aka "Jack the Hunter"), was convicted of murdering 11 prostitutes in Christchurch, New Zealand. In the 20 years of Jack's incarceration, Edward hasn't spoken to or visited him once. Edward is doing okay in his struggle to get over his past until the day shortly before Christmas he and his wife, Jodie, get caught in the middle of a violent bank heist that leaves Jodie dead. Edward, who has always feared that he'll turn out like his father, is shocked when Jack contacts him from prison and encourages him to seek revenge on the robbers. He's even more shocked when he takes Jack's advice. While Cleave (The Cleaner) explores intriguing concepts-- particularly the gray area between guilt and innocence--and the steady stream of blood never feels gratuitous, too many subplots and character motivations compete for anything to truly resonate. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From Booklist What was it like to grow up with a serial killer as a father? Edward Hunter knows: his father has a monster inside him, and although he's now in prison, his legacy is something Edward has always feared. But Edward is nothing like his father. He has a good life—friends, a job, a loving wife, and a child he adores. All that changes though, the moment he calls out to save a bank teller from being killed during a hold-up, and the robbers kill his wife instead. What has he done? How can he fix it? When the police work too slowly, Edward decides to investigate himself, and as he does, he connects with feelings he has denied his whole life—and discovers his own terrible monster. Compelling, dark, and perfectly paced, New Zealand writer Cleave's psychological thriller explores the evil lurking in us all, working relentless magic until the very last page. There's nary a misstep in this riveting thriller about the bad deeds even good men sometimes do. --Stephanie Zvirin Review Praise for The Laughterhouse: "Piano wire–taut plotting, Tate’s heart-wrenching losses and forlorn hopes, and Cleave’s unusually perceptive gaze into the maw of a killer’s madness make this a standout chapter in his detective’s rocky road to redemption." — Publishers Weekly (starred) “An intense adrenaline rush from start to finish, I read The Laughterhouse in one sitting. It’ll have you up all night. Fantastic!” —S.J. Watson, New York Times bestselling author of Before I Go to Sleep "This dark, gripping thriller, the latest in the Tate saga, is as hard-boiled as it gets. The surprise ending suspends all disbelief. Like a TV series that ends its season on a cliffhanger, you won’t want to wait until next year. This will leave the reader clamoring for the next book in the series." — Suspense Magazine "In Cleave’s third psycho-thriller, Theodore Tate is the quintessential flawed hero, a damaged soul hunting deviants in a forest of moral quandaries.... The novel is less a character study than a dissection of the need for, and cost of, revenge.... Cleave’s horrific narrative takes no prisoners, with the bloody action relentlessly ricocheting around Christchurch at a pace that leaves the detectives near collapse... An intense and bloody noir thriller, one often descending into a violent abyss reminiscent of Thomas Harris, creator of Hannibal Lecter." — Kirkus Reviews "A wonderful book.... The final effect is that tingling in the neck hairs that tells us an artist is at work." — Booklist (starred)“Riveting and all too realistic." --Tess Gerritsen“Relentlessly gripping, deliciously twisted and shot through with a vein of humor that’s as dark as hell. Cleave creates fictional monsters as chilling and as charming as any I’ve ever come across. Anyone who likes their crime fiction on the black and bloody side should move Paul Cleave straight to the top of their must-read list.” —Mark Billingham, award-winning author of Blood Line “Paul Cleave writes like the fine-tuned punches of a middleweight boxer—with short sharp jabs to the solar plexus that make you gasp.” — Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Australia) “Cleave displays a certain adroitness in insistently plucking the imagination with icy fingers of fear.” — Christchurch Press (New Zealand)“Compelling, dark, and perfectly paced, New Zealand writer Cleave’s psychological thriller explores the evil lurking in us all, working relentless magic until the very last page. There’s nary a misstep in this riveting thriller about the bad deeds even good men sometimes do.” -- Booklist “Dark, bloody, and gripping, Blood Men is classic noir fiction. In Paul Cleave, Jim Thompson has another worthy heir to his throne.” —John Connolly, New York Times bestselling author of The Whisperers "Cleave [has an] impressive talent for character traits, building tension, and his edgy presentation of Christchurch — a town which, thanks to his previous novels, is now a solid addition to the geography of noir cities." --Bookgasm.com About the Author Paul Cleave is the author of six internationally bestselling thrillers, including Blood Men, Collecting Cooper, and The Laughterhouse . He lives in Christchurch, New Zealand. Find out more at PaulCleave.com. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Prologue “I first made the newspapers when I was nine years old. I made them in every city across the country, most of them on the first page. I even made them internationally. In them I was black and white, blurred a little, my face turned into my father’s chest, people surrounding us. From then on I was shown on TV, in magazines, in more and more papers, always the same photo. I never wanted any of it, I tried to avoid it, but the option wasn’t mine. “My dad, well, he made the papers too. He was also on the front pages. There were more photos of him than of me, because he was the one being arrested. I was just along for the ride, trying to fight off the police as they came to take him away. I didn’t know any better. Mum peeled me away from his side as I cried. The police handcuffed him, and I never saw him again until this week. He was my dad, sure, but it was pretty easy to stop loving the guy when it turned out he was never really the man we thought he was. Dad got himself arrested because he had tastes other people didn’t look too kindly on—not even the people of Christchurch. “Mum was dead a year later. She took cocktails of poisons and pills to escape the hate and the accusations from the public. That left me with the doctors and psychiatrists to study me. They were curious about me. Everybody was. My dad was a man of blood. He had murdered eleven prostitutes over a period of twenty-five years, and that got some of the good people of Christchurch wondering whether I’d turn out the same way. Dad was so subtle nobody even realized Christchurch had a serial killer. He didn’t advertise the fact, he just did his thing, no fuss, no real mess, sometimes they were found and sometimes they weren’t, and those that weren’t were never reported missing. He was a family man who loved us, who would do everything for us. He never laid a finger on my mother or my sister or me, he worked hard to put food on our table, to provide what he could to make our lives better than his was growing up. The monster inside him never came home, it was left hidden in the darkness with the blood and the flesh of those it killed, but sometimes—at least eleven times that he admitted to—Dad’d go out at night and meet up with that monster. He wasn’t my dad in those moments, he was something else. I never asked what, exactly. In the beginning I couldn’t. In the beginning I wasn’t allowed to see him, then, when I was old enough to make my own decisions, I didn’t want to. “I was ten years old when the trial began. It was a circus. My mum was still alive, but my sister and I were struggling. Mum was always yelling at us when she was sober, and crying when she was drunk, and whatever of those two states she was in, you always wished it was the other. Soon the pills and the booze took their toll, but not as quick as she wanted, and when they couldn’t finish the job she used a razor blade. I don’t know how long it took for her to bleed out. She might still have been alive when we found her. I held my sister’s hand and we watched her pale body, the yelling and the crying gone now. “My mum’s family wanted nothing to do with us, but my dad’s parents took us in. The kids at school would tease me, they’d beat me up, they’d steal my bag at least once a week and jam it down a toilet somewhere. The psychiatrist came around every few months with his tests and questions. My photo came up in the papers every now and then, always the same one, though the distance between those occurrences started to stretch. I was almost a celebrity. I was also the son of a serial killer—and some of those good Christchurch people thought I would follow in his footsteps. “My sister, Belinda, she took the direction of Dad’s victims. She was out fucking for money when she was fourteen. By sixteen she was an addict; her tastes ran to the liquids that could be scored cheap and injected into her veins. By nineteen she was dead. I was the last of my family—Dad’s monster took them all away. “Of course little Eddie grew up, I have my own family now. A wife. A child. I told my wife who I was not long after we met. It frightened her in the beginning. Thankfully she got to know me. She saw I had no monsters. “There are those who think what my dad had was a gene, that he’s passed it on to me. There are people who think that I’m destined to be a man of blood too,” I say, and I look at the blood soaking into the upholstery from the woman slumped in the passenger seat, “that the same blood runs through both of us. They’re wrong,” I say, and I take the car up to sixty kilometers an hour and drive straight into the wall. © 2010 Paul Cleave Read more