Olibro

New York Times best-selling author Caroline Myss invites readers into an intimate and healing engagement with the soul.

A new collection of stories that shed fresh light on the dangerous and complex world of the insect-kinden, including three that are previously unpublished. The Tales of the Apt series provides a different perspective on the fantastic realm first encountered in the author's best-selling Shadows of the Apt series, gathering together short stories from disparate places and supplementing them with a wealth of new tales written especially for these books. A must read for any fan of the Shadows of the Apt books, where epic fantasy meets steampunk, science, and so much more.

Jake Brigance is back! The hero of A Time to Kill, one of the most popular novels of our time, returns in a courtroom drama that The New York Times says is "riveting" and "suspenseful." Clanton, Mississippi. 1990. Jake Brigance finds himself embroiled in a deeply divisive trial when the court appoints him attorney for Drew Gamble, a timid sixteen-year-old boy accused of murdering a local deputy. Many in Clanton want a swift trial and the death penalty, but Brigance digs in and discovers that there is more to the story than meets the eye. Jake's fierce commitment to saving Drew from the gas chamber puts his career, his financial security, and the safety of his family on the line. In what may be the most personal and accomplished legal thriller of John Grisham's storied career, we deepen our acquaintance with the iconic Southern town of Clanton and the vivid cast of characters that so many readers know and cherish. The result is a richly rewarding novel that is both timely and timeless, full of wit, drama, and-most of all-heart. Bursting with all the courthouse scheming, small-town intrigue, and stunning plot twists that have become the hallmarks of the master of the legal thriller, A Time for Mercy is John Grisham's most powerful courtroom drama yet. There is a time to kill and a time for justice. Now comes A Time for Mercy.

Jake Brigance, lawyer hero of A Time to Kill and Sycamore Row, is back in his toughest case yet.<BR><BR>A COMMUNITY SEEKING JUSTICE. A LAWYER FIGHTING FOR TRUTH.<BR><BR>Drew Gamble is a teenage cop killer.<BR><BR>He's now the most hated person in Clanton, Mississippi. He's adamant he shot the officer in self-defence. The town believes it was murder.<BR><BR>Everyone expects him to be sentenced to death. It falls to Clanton's most famous lawyer, Jake Brigance, to defend Drew against impossible odds.<BR><BR>And anything can happen when Jake Brigance is on the defence.<BR><BR>¿350+ million copies, 45 languages, 10 blockbuster films: JOHN GRISHAM IS THE MASTER OF THE LEGAL THRILLER¿<BR><BR>Readers love A Time for Mercy: <BR><BR>'I couldn't put it down' ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ <BR>'Grisham is the king of trial plots' ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ <BR>'You've just got to keep reading' ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ <BR>'Grisham at his best' ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿ ¿

Jake Brigance, lawyer hero of A Time to Kill and Sycamore Row, is back, in his toughest case ever.'When Grisham gets in the courtroom he lets rip, drawing scenes so real they're not just alive, they're pulsating' MirrorCAN A KILLER EVER BE ABOVE THE LAW?Deputy Stuart Kofer is a protected man. Though he's turned his drunken rages on his girlfriend, Josie, and her children many times before, the police code of silence has always shielded him.But one night he goes too far, leaving Josie for dead on the floor before passing out. Her son, sixteen-year-old Drew, knows he only has this one chance to save them. He picks up a gun and takes the law into his own hands.In Clanton, Mississippi, there is no one more hated than a cop killer - but a cop killer's defence lawyer comes close. Jake Brigance doesn't want this impossible case but he's the only one with enough experience to defend the boy.As the trial begins, it seems there is only one outcome: the gas chamber for Drew. But, as the town of Clanton discovers once again, when Jake Brigance takes on an impossible case, anything is possible...Starring the same hero and setting that featured in John Grisham's multi-million-selling bestsellers A Time to Kill (adapted as a film starring Samuel L. Jackson and Matthew McConaughey ) and Sycamore Row , A Time for Mercy is an unforgettable thriller you won't be able to put down.'A superb, instinctive storyteller' The Times'Storytelling genius ... he is in a league of his own' Daily Record350+ million copies, 45 languages, 10 blockbuster films:NO ONE WRITES DRAMA LIKE JOHN GRISHAM

A Time of Blood, the second book in the Of Blood and Bone trilogy, is the spectacular sequel to A Time of Dread by John Gwynne. <BR><BR>Defy the darkness. Defend the light . . . <BR><BR>At the battle of Starstone Lake, Drem and his friends witnessed horrors they'll never forget. They saw magic warping men into beasts and a demon rise from the dead, creating something new and terrifying. So they flee to warn the Order of the Bright Star. But the demons' high priestess, Fritha, is determined to hunt them down.<BR><BR>Concealed in Forn Forest, Riv struggles to understand her half-breed lineage. It represents the warrior angels' most dangerous secret, so when their high captain tracks her down, he aims to kill.<BR><BR>Meanwhile, demonic forces are gathering a mighty war-host, to crush their enemies and rule the world of man. And the angels are already fractured and facing betrayal. Like heroes of old, Riv, Drem and the Bright Star's warriors must battle to save their land. But can the light triumph when the dark is rising?<BR><BR>A Time of Blood follows A Time of Dread. The series reaches its powerful conclusion with A Time of Courage.<BR><BR>'Reminds me of why I became a fantasy enthusiast in the first place' - Robin Hobb on A Time of Dread<BR><BR>'A great read that accelerates the pace and goes one up on its excellent predecessor . . . Exciting, action-packed fantasy' - Mark Lawrence, author of Prince of Thorns<BR><BR>'This is extraordinarily good, an epic feat of the imagination. In this series Gwynne is setting a new benchmark in fantasy' - Giles Kristian, author of Lancelot<BR><BR>A Time of Blood is the second in the Of Blood and Bone trilogy. The trilogy is set one hundred years after the end of Gwynne's Faithful and the Fallen quartet, and can be read as a standalone series.

Angels, demons and heroes face the ultimate fight for the Banished Lands. A Time of Courage is the epic conclusion to John Gwynne's mighty fantasy trilogy, Of Blood and Bone.<BR><BR>Battle the dark. Reclaim the world.<BR><BR>The King of the Otherworld is finally free. Armed with fearsome new starstone weapons, Asroth prepares to lead his demonic war-host south. And with the help of his bride, Fritha, he plans to crush the warrior angels and their allies for good.<BR><BR>In the shadows of Forn Forest, Riv and the surviving Ben-Elim hold a war council ­­- desperate to unite those who would stand against Asroth and his army. They decide to fly west, to join the Order of the Bright Star. But Drem and the Order are already under siege by a demon horde and their fragile defences may soon shatter.<BR><BR>Across the Banished Lands, armies are gathering to settle ancient grudges and decide the fate of humanity. Drem, Riv and the Bright Star's warriors will need to call on all their courage as they face the final battle. But will it be enough, as their darkest hour draws near?<BR><BR>Start the heroic fantasy series with A Time of Dread.<BR><BR>'Reminds me of why I became a fantasy enthusiast in the first place' - Robin Hobb on A Time of Dread<BR><BR>'This book is so damned good . . . John Gwynne writes fantasy with the heart of a hero and the inventiveness of a master mage' - Sebastien de Castell on A Time of Blood<BR><BR>A Time of Courage is the third in the Of Blood and Bone trilogy. The trilogy is set one hundred years after the end of Gwynne's Faithful and the Fallen quartet, and can be read as a standalone series. The series begins with A Time of Dread.

'Reminds me of why I became a fantasy enthusiast in the first place' - Robin Hobb, author of Assassin's Apprentice<BR><BR>The first novel in John Gwynne's epic and stirring Of Blood and Bone trilogy.<BR><BR>The Ben-Elim, a race of warrior angels, once vanquished a mighty demon horde. Now they rule the Banished Lands. But their dominion is brutally enforced and their ancient enemy may not be as crushed as they thought.<BR><BR>In the snowbound North, Drem, a trapper, finds mutilated corpses in the forests - a sign of demonic black magic. In the South, Riv, a young, tempestuous soldier, discovers a deadly rift within the Ben-Elim themselves.<BR><BR>Two individuals with two world-changing secrets. But where will they lead? And what role will Drem and Riv play in the Banished Lands' fate? Difficult choices need to be made. Because in the shadows, demons are gathering, waiting for their time to rise . . .<BR><BR>Continue the heroic fantasy series with A Time of Blood and A Time of Courage. <BR><BR>'A truly excellent read . . . Exciting, well-written swords and sorcery' - Mark Lawrence, author of The Broken Empire<BR><BR>'John Gwynne is one of the modern masters of heroic fantasy' - Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time<BR><BR>Of Blood and Bone is set one hundred years after the end of Gwynne's Faithful and the Fallen quartet, and can be read as a standalone series. The trilogy includes A Time of Dread, A Time of Blood and A Time of Courage.

INTRODUCED BY JAN MORRIS<BR><BR>'[This] gloriously ornate account of that epic journey is a classic' ROBERT MACFARLANE<BR><BR>'The feeling of being lost in time and geography with months and years hazily sparkling ahead is a prospect of inconjecturable magic.'<BR><BR> In 1933, aged eighteen, Patrick Leigh Fermor set out on his 'great trudge', a year-long journey by foot from the Hook of Holland to Istanbul. Three decades later he wrote A Time of Gifts, the sparklingly original account of the first part of this youthful adventure, which took him through the Low Countries, up the Rhine, through Germany, down the Danube, through Austria and Czechoslovakia, and as far as Hungary.<BR><BR>Alone, carrying only a rucksack and with a small allowance of only a pound a week, Fermor had planned to sleep rough - to live 'like a tramp, a pilgrim, or a wandering scholar' - but a chance introduction in Bavaria led to comfortable stays in castles, and provided a glimpse of the old Europe of princes and peasants.<BR><BR>Hailed as a masterpiece, A Time of Gifts is in part a coming-of-age memoir, but it is also a rich and compelling portrait of a continent that - despite its resplendent domes and monasteries, its great rivers and grand cities - was soon to be swept away by war, modernisation and profound social change. <BR><BR>'Not only is this journey one of physical adventure but of cultural awakening. Architecture, art, genealogy, quirks of history and language are all devoured -- and here passed on -- with a gusto uniquely his' COLIN THUBRON, SUNDAY TIMES<BR><BR>'One of the most romantic books of the twentieth century, Patrick Leigh Fermor's account of a long walk across Europe is also a literary treasure, a rich blend of action and observation' GUARDIAN

This beloved account about an intrepid young Englishman on the first leg of his walk from London to Constantinople is simply one of the best works of travel literature ever written. At the age of eighteen, Patrick Leigh Fermor set off from the heart of London on an epic journey--to walk to Constantinople. A Time of Gifts is the rich account of his adventures as far as Hungary, after which Between the Woods and the Water continues the story to the Iron Gates that divide the Carpathian and Balkan mountains. Acclaimed for its sweep and intelligence, Leigh Fermor's book explores a remarkable moment in time. Hitler has just come to power but war is still ahead, as he walks through a Europe soon to be forever changed--through the Lowlands to Mitteleuropa, to Teutonic and Slav heartlands, through the baroque remains of the Holy Roman Empire; up the Rhine, and down to the Danube. At once a memoir of coming-of-age, an account of a journey, and a dazzling exposition of the English language, A Time of Gifts is also a portrait of a continent already showing ominous signs of the holocaust to come.

*INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND NATIONAL BESTSELLER*Two women, bound by blood and betrayal, must break silence across centuries—or be silenced forever, in the dazzling new novel by New York Times bestselling author Madeline Martin.Lilith Legare’s life is unraveling. Since her mother’s death, strange things have been happening - plants turn toward her touch, animals linger in her path, and the birthmark on her arm has started tingling. Worse still is her recurring nightmare of being burned alive at the stake.Her search for answers brings her from Savannah to England, to the decaying Brackenmere Manor where the past blurs with the present. There, Lilith discovers a legacy she never asked for and along with it, the threat of peril. History must be rewritten, or she too will die.In 1645 Suffolk, Sybil Brantham stands accused as a witch. An educated, wealthy widow, she is branded a threat by men who fear her independence. As arrests begin and suspicion abounds, Sybil must protect her younger sister, even as betrayal takes root within her household.Across centuries, Lilith and Sybil are bound by blood and by danger. To save themselves, and each other, they must confront the silence that has stolen women’s power for generations—and dare to claim their voices before it’s too late.Discover more from Madeline Martin: - The Secret Book Society - The Booklover's Library - The Keeper of Hidden Books - The Librarian Spy - The Last Bookshop in London

This scathing "comedy of manners" set in the 1940s "steers us through the lives of women who come to New York . . . for love, money, opportunity, and a good time" (New York Times). At the center of this 1942 novel are a wealthy, self-involved newspaper publisher and his scheming, novelist wife, Amanda Keeler--who ensnares Ohioan Vicky Haven in her social and romantic manipulations.Author Dawn Powell always denied Amanda Keeler was based upon the real-life Clare Boothe Luce until years later when she discovered a memo she'd written to herself in 1939 that said, "Why not do a novel on Clare Luce?" Which prompted Powell to write in her diary, "Who can I believe? Me or myself?"Set against an atmospheric backdrop of New York City in the months just before America' s entry into World War II,A Time of Be Bornis a scathing and hilarious study of cynical New Yorkers stalking each other for various selfish ends.

One of our great decoders of human connection chronicles the astonishing rise of new rituals around the world—and offers a road map for restoring togetherness with gatherings you’ll love<BR><BR>Since time immemorial, humans have turned to ritual to connect us in periods of change. Until today. Birth rituals and coming-of-age rituals have plummeted; fewer than half of Americans are married; only one in three is buried. “It took us ten thousand years to establish cultural norms around how we mark collective life transitions,” writes Bruce Feiler. “It took us fifty years to dismantle them.” Can this threat to society be reversed?<BR><BR>To find out, Feiler went on a round-the-world ritual road trip, attending—and participating in—life rituals in sixteen countries on six continents. These spectacles, some rarely seen, include a mass baptism in the Vatican, a tribal bride price negotiation in South Africa, an adolescent tooth filing in Bali, six weddings in Las Vegas, and ten funerals in Ireland.<BR><BR>Beyond the decline in traditional rituals, Feiler discovered that we are in the midst of a ritual renaissance that is pushing back against apathy, loneliness, and digital saturation. Fed up with top-down scripts, everyday people, from boomers to Gen Z, are reimagining collective rituals at a remarkable pace, inventing fresh ways to gather around life, love, health, and family—and forging thriving communities in the process.<BR><BR>As he did with Life Is in the Transitions, Feiler also collected stories of a hundred ritual designers and built a first-of-its kind database of ideas to make gatherings more effective—from creating sacred space to mediating conflict to generating “wows” that guests will talk about forever.<BR><BR>From a master storyteller uncovering a thrilling phenomenon hiding in plain sight, A Time to Gather is both a stirring adventure and practical manual. It’s a landmark guide to modern ritual; a tool kit for turning everyday moments into unforgettable celebrations; and an invitation to reconnect and rejoice—together.

This charming picture book presents a year of holiday traditions from Tasha Tudor's own childhood and is sure to be welcomed by a new generation of readers as well as old fans. Delicate watercolor paintings, intricate border illustrations, and a loving text celebrate the turning of the seasons and the year's special days. Marker ribbon. Full color.

THE MULTI-MILLION COPY BESTSELLERJohn Grisham's first and most shocking novel, adapted as a film starring Samuel L. Jackson and Matthew McConaugheyWhen Carl Lee Hailey guns down the violent racists who raped his ten-year-old daughter, the people of the small town of Clanton, Mississippi see it as justice done, and call for his acquittal.But when extremists outside Clanton - including the KKK - hear that a black man has killed two white men, they invade the town, determined to destroy anything and anyone that opposes their sense of justice. A national media circus descends on Clanton.As tensions mount, Hailey hires the inexperienced Jake Brigance to defend him. It's the kind of case that could make a young lawyer's career.But it's also the kind of case that could get a young lawyer killed.The original, epoch-defining Jake Brigance novel. Brigance returns in Sycamore Row and A Time For Mercy.______________________________PRAISE FOR JOHN GRISHAM . . . 'A master at the art of deft characterisation and the skilful delivery of hair-raising crescendos' Irish Independent'John Grisham is the master of legal fiction' Jodi Picoult'The best thriller writer alive' Ken Follett'John Grisham has perfected the art of cooking up convincing, fast-paced thrillers' Telegraph'Grisham is a superb, instinctive storyteller' The Times'Grisham's storytelling genius reminds us that when it comes to legal drama, the master is in a league of his own' Daily Record'Masterful - when Grisham gets in the courtroom he lets rip, drawing scenes so real they're not just alive, they're pulsating' Mirror'A giant of the thriller genre' TimeOut

A Timeless Reality will transform every aspect of your life as you embark on a life-changing quest for the Divine. **NEW APP** Download the new Timeless Reality app today to explore the full contents of the book in a dynamic, app-based experience! iOS - https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/timeless-reality/id6471679137 Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.meditation.timeless&pcampaignid=web_share Discover inner peace and spiritual enlightenment with our Sufi Meditation app. Immerse yourself in a universe beyond time via our guided practices. Start your journey today! The app consists of a full featured Meditation Toolkit including: * How to Steps to perform Sufi Meditation * Steps to make connection to a Spiritual Guide * Question & Answers based on the "A Timeless Reality" Book * Search feature to look up Q&As inventory * Audio Soundtracks to use during Meditation Meditation, known as tafakkur (contemplation), serves to nourish the spirit, acquire the essence of sincere knowledge, and open powerful secrets for the soul to achieve inner peace. In times of global upheaval, it's essential to face challenges with strengthened spiritual reflection and resolve. This unique compilation teaches how to slow life down, detach from the physical realm, and awaken the soul's connection to the world of light - the Divine's ancient timeless reality. Speaking from 26 years of spiritual training and many seclusions, Shaykh Nurjan Mirahmadi conveys ancient wisdoms for the soul that will cultivate a higher consciousness of the Divine. As a Certified Shaykh in this field of meditation, he provides inspirational guidance supported with full-colour visuals, allowing the student to understand, reflect, and progress in their spiritual development. Presented in a question and answer format, this book guides the reader in practicing meditation, connecting the heart to a guide, benefiting from daily spiritual practices, understanding the effects of positive and negative energy on the body, mind, and soul, and applying the concepts of contemplation towards building good character.

When it rains, it pours...Even though I'm the daughter of a viscount and betrothed to a prince, my life is anything but a bed of roses. My half sister has stolen my fiancé, made me the villain of her love story, and cursed me to become an ugly cat-doomed to die a claw-ful death on the streets! But just before I collapse from hunger in the rain, tender hands cover me with an umbrella. I look up to see...none other than the infamously cruel and fearsome duke! Just what fate lies in store for me? And will I ever be able to reverse this curse?!

Unable to speak a word to Duke Merck or contact her family, Marie is left without a single lead on how to break her curse. To make matters worse, the duke's younger brother has begun to suspect her to be a shapeshifter due to her un-cat-like nature. Could he be a key to breaking her curse or is he going to send her to her doom...?

Inspired by Ron Roy's A to Z Mysteries series, this bright and modern animal adventure story is perfect for budding young chapter book readers. This time, Abbi and her friends are determined to rescue a lost bat!<BR><BR>Solve Animal Mysteries from A to Z! <BR><BR>Abbi, Lydia, and Daniel love to watch bats flying around their neighborhood after sunset. Nature is so cool! But then they hear an unnatural sound in Abbi's home. Is it a ghost? Or something scarier? With help from her trusty dog Barkley, Abbi and her friends will shine a light on the truth!<BR><BR>Don't miss the first book in this series: A to Z Animal Mysteries #1: The Absent Alpacas.<BR><BR>Did you know there's an original A to Z Mysteries series that has been beloved by kids for generations? Check out all 40 books in the A to Z Mysteries series by Ron Roy where kids Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose solve mysteries from A to Z in their hometown and beyond!

Help Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose solve mysteries from A to D in this starter boxed set of the first four A to Z Mysteries® books!<BR><BR>Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are just regular kids with a knack for solving mysteries. In their first four adventures, they find a missing person, catch a thief, save neighborhood pets, and uncover a haunted dungeon! What mystery will they solve next? Follow the clues from A to Z to find out!<BR><BR>With more than 10 million copies in print, the A to Z Mysteries® have been hooking chapter book readers on mysteries and reading for years. Now, for the first time ever, you can introduce your young reader to the first four sleuthing adventures in this spooky and suspenseful collection! This boxed set includes: The Absent Author, The Bald Bandit, The Canary Caper, and The Deadly Dungeon.

Enter a grave new world in this acclaimed book as Peter Ross uncovers the stories and glories of graveyards. Who are London's outcast dead and why is David Bowie their guardian angel? What is the remarkable truth about Phoebe Hessel, who disguised herself as a man to fight alongside her sweetheart, and went on to live in the reigns of five monarchs? Why is a Bristol cemetery the perfect wedding venue for goths? <BR><BR>All of these sorrowful mysteries - and many more - are answered in A Tomb With A View, a book for anyone who has ever wandered through a field of crooked headstones and wondered about the lives and deaths of those who lie beneath.

Half-Fae Elessia could have had everything.Literally.Since her magic allows her to compel anyone to do her bidding by merely looking into their eyes, the world was at her feet.But after a tragic accident, she is thrown into the Fae king’s dungeons and forced to swear a blood oath to him, binding her to his service.Five years later, she’s living amongst humans in Ellow and has created a life for herself—as best she can, with the king’s promise to call in his debt looming over her.When he finally comes to collect, she is made to infiltrate the human elections to determine whether the current regent is involved in the strange things happening in the land of Fae.With the promise of freedom from the king’s claws, Elessia is determined to see it through. Liberty is within reach as long as she can keep the lethal Fae guard watching over her from eliminating her before she unearths the information the king seeks.But as she grows closer to the brooding human regent and secrets begin to unravel, Elessia realizes greater forces may be at play.And she might stand before the choice between her own freedom and that of a nation.

For readers of Callie Hart, Sarah J. Maas, and Sarah A. Parker, this first in a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, love triangle romantasy saga dazzles with political intrigue, compulsion magic, and found family, as a half-Fae blood sworn to the Fae king and drawn to a brooding human regent is forced to spy in human elections to win her freedom—but starts to realize it might come at the cost of an entire nation.<BR><BR>*DELUXE LIMITED EDITION featuring stenciled edges, gloss and glitter cover features, designed inside covers, perforated character art card insert, and BONUS CHAPTER*<BR><BR>Half-Fae Elessia could have had everything. Literally.<BR><BR>Since her magic allows her to compel anyone to do her bidding by merely looking into their eyes, the world was at her feet. But after a tragic accident, she is thrown into the Fae king's dungeons and forced to swear a blood oath to him, binding her to his service.<BR><BR>Five years later, she's living amongst humans in Ellow and has created a life for herself—as much as she can with the king's promise to call in his debt looming over her.<BR><BR>When he finally comes to collect, she is made to infiltrate the human elections to determine whether the current regent is involved in the strange things happening in the land of Fae.<BR>With the promise of freedom from the king's claws, Elessia is determined to see it through. Liberty is within reach as long as she can keep the lethal Fae guard watching over her from eliminating her before she unearths the information the king seeks.<BR><BR>But as she grows closer to the brooding human regent and secrets begin to unravel, Elessia realizes greater forces may be at play.<BR><BR>And she might stand before the choice between her own freedom and that of a nation.

NOW WITH AN EXCLUSIVE BONUS CHAPTER!'Tell me. Tell me you burn for me like I burn for you'A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly is the first in an epic, spicy, slow-burn romantasy series from Sophia St Germain, perfect for fans of Gild, The Cruel Prince, The Veiled Kingdom, and Sarah J Maas.✨ Dark and spicy✨ Enemies-to-lovers✨ Slow-burn that burns HOT ✨ Fae world✨ Political intrigue✨ Secret identities ✨ Curses and prophecies and more!_______________________________Half-Fae Elessia could have led a charmed life, making the most of her ability to compel anyone to do her bidding just by looking in their eyes. But, after a tragic accident, she's thrown into the Fae king's dungeons and forced to swear a blood oath, binding her to his service. Five years later, she's living amongst humans in Ellow and has created a life for herself. But her debt to the king still hangs over her head, and now he's come to collect. Tasked with infiltrating the human elections to determine whether the current regent is involved in strange events in the land of Fae, Elessia knows that this is her only chance at freedom - if only she can prevent her lethal and ever-watching Fae guard from eliminating her before she can unearth the information the king seeks. But, as she grows closer to the brooding human regent and secrets begin to unravel, Elessia realises greater forces may be at play. And soon she is faced with a choice: her own freedom or that of an entire nation._______________________________Readers can't get enough!'From the very first page, this book grabbed me and refused to let go. I was completely caught in its pull - pulled in by the emotional depth, the absolutely stunning writing, and that slow-burn tension that practically sizzled off the page. I didn't sleep. I couldn't. I had to know how it would all unfold' 5 ⭐ reader review'Perfect! Just absolutely perfect! Written incredibly, the pacing was great, so many twists and turns! Top 5 books I've read this year for sure!' 5 ⭐ reader review'I was floored every step of the way . . . Sophia, you mended my shattered heart only to rip it out and hurl it straight into the sun. HOW COULD YOU?!' 5 ⭐ reader review'Definitely in my all-time top 5. Infinity stars read without a doubt . . . loved every second of this book' 5 ⭐ reader review

Bringing a unique perspective and a singular voice to contemporary fiction, A TORTOISE FOR THE QUEEN OF TONGA features lush, poignant stories about the natural world. Here are mammals, historical figures, everyday people who discover the liberating properties of memory and knowledge in the face of captivity and loneliness. We meet a forlorn tortoise forced to live among humans. We witness orcas at Ocean World staging a revolt, using celibacy as their weapon. In a French cave, a young computer animator draws parallels between Cro-Magnon and modern women. One story even travels to heaven, where Charles Darwin seeks the source of human happiness.<BR> Whitty joins her authority about wildlife and her rich imagination to spectacular effect. Drawing on twenty years' experience with making nature documentaries, she takes readers inside the minds of animals and people struggling to overcome their limitations. In a voice as magical as it is informed, A TORTOISE FOR THE QUEEN OF TONGA bridges the mythical and the mundane, the animal and the human. Julia Whitty is a brilliant new storyteller in American short fiction.

One curious tortoise.One forbidden legend.One journey that could change the desert forever.In a quiet desert valley where the wind whispers through mesquite roots and the mountains stand like ancient guardians, a young tortoise named Tyler awakens from his long winter sleep-and begins to question the rules that have guided his kind for generations.Like every tortoise before him, Tyler has been taught the ancient ways: Live alone. Move carefully. Trust no creature beyond your shell. And above all, obey the teachings of Stoneshell, the legendary tortoise who first showed their kind how to survive the harsh desert world.But Tyler has always struggled with those rules.Since he was a hatchling, he has heard the legend of Tu'ku-a rebellious tortoise who defied Stoneshell and set out across the desert in search of something extraordinary.According to the old stories, Tu'ku discovered a mysterious treasure-something powerful enough to promise survival, strength, or perhaps something greater. But when he refused to share it, he was banished and vanished into the distant mountains.Most tortoises treat the story as a warning.To Tyler, it sounds like something else.Drawn beyond his small stretch of desert, he cannot understand why tortoises must live in solitude when the world around them is full of life.When Tyler ventures beyond familiar paths, his curiosity leads him farther than intended. A deadly encounter with a predator sends him on an unexpected journey far from home.Lost in a vast and dangerous world, Tyler begins to wonder if the legend is true. Somewhere beyond the mountains lies Tu'ku's Peak-and the treasure hidden there.As he struggles to find his way home, he encounters creatures he was warned never to trust-animals who challenge everything he has been taught about survival and the ancient rules of tortoisekind.With every step across the desert, the questions grow harder to ignore.Is the treasure real? What power does it hold? And what kind of tortoise might Tyler become if he dares to search for it?Blending classic animal storytelling with an epic journey, this novel follows one young tortoise as he questions everything he believes about survival, independence, and the meaning of home.Along the way, Tyler faces predators, desert storms, and choices that could change not only his future-but the future of animalkind itself.For readers who love thoughtful animal adventures in the spirit of Watership Down, The Wind in the Willows, and Charlotte's Web, A Tortoise Odyssey: The Secret of Tu'ku's Peak is a timeless story about finding one's place in a vast and mysterious world-and discovering that even the slowest traveler may be destined for the greatest journey of all.

The world will burn in the final installment of Scarlett St. Clair's bestselling Hades X Persephone saga.<BR><BR>The gods are at war, the Titans have been released, and Hades and Persephone must fight tooth and nail for their happy ending.<BR><BR>Persephone, Goddess of Spring, never guessed that a chance encounter with Hades, God of the Underworld, would change her life forever-but he did. Now embroiled in a fight for humanity and battles between the gods, Persephone and Hades have entered a world they never thought they would see. To end the chaos, Persephone must draw upon her darkness and embrace who she's become-goddess, wife, queen of the Underworld.<BR><BR>Once, Persephone made bargains to save those she loves. Now, she will go to war for them.<BR><BR>The world will burn in the final installment of Scarlett St. Clair's bestselling Hades X Persephone saga. The gods are at war, the Titans have been released, and Hades and Persephone must fight tooth and nail for their happy ending. Persephone, Goddess of Spring, never guessed that a chance encounter with Hades, God of the Underworld, would change her life forever-but he did. Now embroiled in a fight for humanity and battles between the gods, Persephone and Hades have entered a world they never thought they would see. To end the chaos, Persephone must draw upon her darkness and embrace who she's become-goddess, wife, queen of the Underworld. Once, Persephone made bargains to save those she loves. Now, she will go to war for them.

From bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair comes a dark and enthralling reimagining of the Hades and Persephone Greek myth. "Let me worship you," he said.She remembered the words she had whispered to him in the back of the limo after La Rose. "You will worship me, and I won't even have to order you." His request felt sinful and devious, and she reveled in it.She answered, "Yes."Persephone is the Goddess of Spring in title only. Since she was a little girl, flowers have only shriveled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hoped to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist. All of that changes when she sits down in a forbidden nightclub to play a hand of cards with a hypnotic and mysterious stranger.Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favorite bets are rumored to be impossible. But nothing has ever intrigued him as much as the goddess offering him a bargain he can't resist.After her encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead, and his terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever. The bet does more than expose Persephone's failure as a goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows--a love that is both captivating and forbidden.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair comes an exclusive collector's edition of her dark and enthralling reimagining of the Hades and Persephone Greek myth. This edition includes all-new illustrated hardcover designs, full-color endpapers, full-color interior art, author footnotes, foiled edges, and more."Let me worship you," he said.She remembered the words she had whispered to him in the back of the limo after La Rose. "You will worship me, and I won't even have to order you." His request felt sinful and devious, and she reveled in it.She answered, "Yes."Persephone is the Goddess of Spring in title only. Since she was a little girl, flowers have only shriveled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hoped to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist. All of that changes when she sits down in a forbidden nightclub to play a hand of cards with a hypnotic and mysterious stranger.Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favorite bets are rumored to be impossible. But nothing has ever intrigued him as much as the goddess offering him a bargain he can't resist.After her encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead, and his terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever. The bet does more than expose Persephone's failure as a goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows-a love that is both captivating and forbidden.

From bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair comes a dark and enthralling reimagining of the Hades and Persephone Greek myth."Let me worship you," he said.She remembered the words she had whispered to him in the back of the limo after La Rose. "You will worship me, and I won't even have to order you." His request felt sinful and devious, and she reveled in it.She answered, "Yes."Persephone is the Goddess of Spring in title only. Since she was a little girl, flowers have only shriveled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hoped to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist. All of that changes when she sits down in a forbidden nightclub to play a hand of cards with a hypnotic and mysterious stranger.Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favorite bets are rumored to be impossible. But nothing has ever intrigued him as much as the goddess offering him a bargain he can't resist.After her encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead, and his terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever. The bet does more than expose Persephone's failure as a goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows-a love that is both captivating and forbidden.

A young couple's toxic Instagram crush spins out of control and unleashes a sinister creature in this twisted, viciously funny story.<BR><BR> "Um, holy shit ... This novel will be the most fun you'll have this summer." —Emily Temple, Literary Hub<BR><BR> Remy and Alicia, a couple of insecure  service workers, are not particularly happy together. But they are bound by a shared obsession with Jen, a beautiful former co-worker of Remy’s who now seems to be following her bliss as a globe-trotting jewelry designer. In and outside the bedroom, Remy and Alicia's entire relationship revolves around fantasies of Jen, whose every Instagram caption, outfit, and new age mantra they know by heart.<BR><BR> Imagine their confused excitement when they run into Jen, in the flesh, and she invites them on a surfing trip to the Hamptons with her wealthy boyfriend and their group. Once there, Remy and Alicia try (a little too hard) to fit into Jen’s exalted social circle, but violent desire and class resentment bubble beneath the surface of this beachside paradise, threatening to erupt. As small disturbances escalate into outright horror, we find ourselves tumbling with Remy and Alicia into an uncanny alternate reality, one shaped by their most unspeakable, deviant, and intoxicating fantasies. Is this what “self-actualization” looks like?<BR><BR> Part millennial social comedy, part psychedelic horror, and all wildly entertaining, A Touch of Jen is a sly, unflinching examination of the hidden drives that lurk just outside the frame of our carefully curated selves.<BR><BR> "Bananas good." —Carmen Maria Machado

It's autumn at the Comfort Food Café and the leaves are golden, the lattes are spiced and love might just be brewing for one new resident...¿¿¿¿¿Reclusive author Sarah is seeking refuge in the quiet village of Budbury, and the last thing she needs is a fake boyfriend. Except that's exactly what she gets - and the fake boyfriend just happens to be gorgeous, rugged Aidan, complete with an easy charm and an old soul that makes him seem like he's just stepped straight out of the pages of a novel. Using him to keep her nosy family at bay, he's happy to do her a favour in return for help with his rather unusual dog-sitting predicament.But nothing in Budbury stays pretend for long. Especially not when there's a hint of autumn magic in the air, with a sprinkle of Halloween mischief.Full of heart, humour and a touch of spooky charm, this is the perfect cosy read for autumn nights.¿¿¿¿¿Readers love The Comfort Food Café series!'Oh how I wish the Comfort Food Cafe was real!' ¿¿¿¿¿'I felt like I was returning home to friends who I hadn't seen in a long while...warm hearted and just plain lovely' ¿¿¿¿¿'What a wonderful return to the Comfort Food Cafe...had me smiling from start to finish'¿¿¿¿¿'A sheer delight' ¿¿¿¿¿'I'm sure you'll fall in love with the cafe and all its regulars' ¿¿¿¿¿'Thanks, Debbie, for many hours of gorgeous escapism!' ¿¿¿¿¿'Beautifully written, with characters that just jump off the page, this is a gem of a book that I can't recommend enough.' ¿¿¿¿¿'I can't tell you how much I loved this book' ¿¿¿¿¿'If only real life was like this, it would be amazing' ¿¿¿¿¿'I didn't want to put it down' ¿¿¿¿¿'The absolute worst part of a Debbie Johnson book is turning over the last page and there is nothing more to read' ¿¿¿¿¿'Just brilliant!' ¿¿¿¿¿'Loved loved loved it!!' ¿¿¿¿¿

The next installment in the Hades and Persephone story from bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair. Discover the world of New Athens and the Greek gods in a series that readers are calling "hopelessly addictive.""I am not sure who you think I am," she said. "But let me be clear-I am Persephone, future Queen of the Underworld, Lady of Your Fate-may you come to dread my presence."Persephone and Hades are engaged. In retaliation, Demeter summons a snowstorm that cripples New Greece, and refuses to lift the blizzard unless her daughter calls off her engagement. When the Olympians intervene, Persephone finds her future in the hands of ancient gods, and they are divided. Do they allow Persephone to marry Hades and go to war with Demeter, or prohibit their union and take up arms against the God of the Dead?Nothing is certain but the promise of war.

Village life can be deadly... <BR><BR>A move to rural Oxfordshire is not the peaceful existence the London couple are looking for in A Touch of Morality, Ann Granger's ninth English village crime novel in the Mitchell & Markby series. The perfect read for fans of Agatha Raisin, Agatha Christie and ITV's Midsomer Murders.<BR><BR>'To be savoured' - Publishers Weekly <BR><BR>When Sally Caswell persuaded her scientist husband Liam to move from London to the quiet of rural Oxfordshire it was in the hope of a more peaceful existence. But so far the move has led to nothing but discord. Liam's sabbatical book project is not going well so, frustrated and isolated, he quarrels incessantly both with Sally and with their next-door neighbour, the crotchety pensioner Bodicote whose unruly goats are a constant source of contention. But then a mysterious package arrives that gives the couple real cause for anxiety. <BR><BR> It appears that Liam is being targeted by animal rights activists, though Superintendent Markby, in charge of the investigation, is not entirely convinced. Liam has many enemies, Bodicote among them, and it seems to Markby that Liam's cantankerous old neighbour is hiding something. The more Markby investigates, the more his unease grows - as does that of Meredith Mitchell, Markby's girlfriend and an old friend of Sally Caswell, for Meredith suspects Sally is far from well. Then a body is found ...<BR><BR>What readers are saying about A Touch of Mortality:<BR><BR>'Simply wonderful. She [Ann Granger] will always throw in a lovely little twist'<BR><BR>'The author piles up detail on detail with plenty of clues, suspects and undercurrents'<BR><BR>'Ann Granger is definitely one of the best out therethat pens English village cosies'

The second in the captivating Hades and Persephone series from fan-favorite bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair."Are you saying you wouldn't fight for me?" Hades sighed and brushed his finger along her cheek. "Darling, I would burn this world for you." Persephone's relationship with Hades has gone public and the resulting media storm disrupts her normal life and threatens to expose her as the Goddess of Spring. To add to her troubles, everyone seems eager to warn Persephone away from the God of the Dead by exposing his hellish past.Things only get worse when a horrible tragedy leaves Persephone's heart in ruin and Hades refusing to help. Desperate, she takes matters into her own hands, striking bargains that lead to severe consequences. Faced with a side of Hades she never knew, and crushing loss, Persephone wonders if she can truly become Hades's queen.

Persephone's relationship with Hades has gone public and the resulting media storm disrupts her normal life and threatens to expose her as the Goddess of Spring. Hades, God of the Dead, is burdened by a hellish past that everyone's eager to expose in an effort to warn Persephone away. Things only get worse when a horrible tragedy leaves Persephone's heart in ruin and Hades refusing to help. Desperate, she takes matters into her own hands, striking bargains with severe consequences. Faced with a side of Hades she never knew and crushing loss, Persephone wonders if she can truly become Hades' queen.

The second in the captivating Hades and Persephone series from fan-favorite bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair."Are you saying you wouldn't fight for me?"Hades sighed and brushed his finger along her cheek. "Darling, I would burn this world for you."Persephone's relationship with Hades has gone public and the resulting media storm disrupts her normal life and threatens to expose her as the Goddess of Spring. To add to her troubles, everyone seems eager to warn Persephone away from the God of the Dead by exposing his hellish past.Things only get worse when a horrible tragedy leaves Persephone's heart in ruin and Hades refusing to help. Desperate, she takes matters into her own hands, striking bargains that lead to severe consequences. Faced with a side of Hades she never knew, and crushing loss, Persephone wonders if she can truly become Hades's queen.

Charles Beaumont's untimely death in 1967 at age 38 cut short the brief but brilliant career of a writer now regarded as a master of modern weird fiction. The author of three extraordinary collections of short stories, the acclaimed novel The Intruder, and scripts for cult classic horror films and the popular TV series The Twilight Zone, Beaumont was at work on a fourth collection, A Touch of the Creature, at the end of his life.Ranging in tone from the eerie and unsettling "The Indian Piper" and "Time and Again" to the offbeat and humorous "Adam's Off Ox" and "The Junemoon Spoon", these stories reveal previously unknown sides to this talented writer and will not disappoint any fan of Beaumont's work.This edition includes all fourteen tales from the limited hardcover edition published in 2000 by Subterranean Press, along with three additional never-before-seen stories, and features a new introduction by award-winning editor Roger Anker."I read it with emotions ranging from startlement to awe ... It's a journey worth taking." - Richard Matheson"Fans of Beaumont's writing are sure to enjoy this collection." - Publishers Weekly"If you fancy yourself any sort of serious fan of modern imaginative fiction you'll want to pick up A Touch of the Creature." - SFSite.com

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep serves up secrets, lies, and superspies with magical abilities, along with dangerous missions and a swoon-worthy romance. Perfect for fans of Alias and James Bond.

'Far from being the pious injunction of a Utopian dreamer, the command to love one's enemy is an absolute necessity for our survival'<BR><BR>Advocating love as strength and non-violence as the most powerful weapon there is, these sermons and writings from the heart of the civil rights movement show Martin Luther King's rhetorical power at its most fiery and uplifting.<BR><BR>One of twenty new books in the bestselling Penguin Great Ideas series. This new selection showcases a diverse list of thinkers who have helped shape our world today, from anarchists to stoics, feminists to prophets, satirists to Zen Buddhists.

In A Tour of C++, Third Edition, Bjarne Stroustrup provides an overview of ISO C++, C++20, that aims to give experienced programmers a clear understanding of what constitutes modern C++. Featuring carefully crafted examples and practical help in getting started, this revised and updated edition concisely covers most major language features and the major standard-library components needed for effective use.<BR><BR>Stroustrup presents C++ features in the context of the programming styles they support, such as object-oriented and generic programming. His tour is remarkably comprehensive. Coverage begins with the basics, then ranges widely through more advanced topics, emphasizing newer language features. This edition covers many features that are new in C++20 as implemented by major C++ suppliers, including modules, concepts, coroutines, and ranges. It even introduces some library components in current use that are not scheduled for inclusion in the standard until C++23.<BR><BR>This authoritative guide does not aim to teach you how to program (for that, see Stroustrup's Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++, Second Edition), nor will it be the only resource you'll need for C++ mastery (for that, see Stroustrup's The C++ Programming Language, Fourth Edition, and recommended online sources). If, however, you are a C or C++ programmer wanting greater familiarity with the current C++ language, or a programmer versed in another language wishing to gain an accurate picture of the nature and benefits of modern C++, you won't find a shorter or simpler introduction.

This book is a facsimile reprint and may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages.

While visiting the land of Miss Marple and Sherlock Holmes, bookstore owner and amateur sleuth Samantha Washington finds herself on a tragical mystery tour...Sam joins Nana Jo and her Shady Acres Retirement Village friends Irma, Dorothy, and Ruby Mae on a weeklong trip to London, England, to experience the Peabody Mystery Lovers Tour. The chance to see the sights and walk the streets that inspired Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle is a dream come true for Sam--and a perfect way to celebrate her new publishing contract as a mystery author. But between visits to Jack the Ripper's Whitechapel district and 221B Baker Street, Major Horace Peabody is found dead, supposedly of natural causes. Despite his employer's unfortunate demise, the tour guide insists on keeping calm and carrying on--until another tourist on their trip also dies under mysterious circumstances. Now it's up to Sam and the Shady Acres ladies to mix and mingle among their fellow mystery lovers, find a motive, and turn up a murderer...

As a seven-year-old girl watches for her missing sister, a stranger moves in next door and a neighbour's old secret starts to resurface...In Solace, Northern Ontario, seven-year-old Clara waits at the window for her missing sister Rose.Next door, Mrs Orchard's house stands empty, until stranger Liam Kane arrives to claim the home she has left him in her will.Clara sees Liam as an intruder. Liam, newly divorced and unemployed, has no idea why Mrs Orchard chose him.In hospital, Elizabeth Orchard looks back over the decades, to the child she once loved and the mistake that shaped two families. As the truth about Rose begins to emerge, all three of them must decide how much of the past can be repaired.Longlisted for the Booker Prize, A Town Called Solace is a tender, quietly suspenseful literary novel about a missing girl, small-town secrets, found family and the chance to change before it is too late.'I've been telling everyone I know about Mary Lawson . . . Each of her novels is just a marvel' Anne Tyler'Close to perfection' The Times'Exquisitely poignant' Liane Moriarty'Will break your heart' Graham Norton

18th century Tibetan mystic Jigmé Lingpa wrote a number of poems on the practice of Dzogchen, one of the great wisdom traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. In A Trackless Path renowned translator and teacher Ken McLeod offers a beautiful and evocative translation of one of these poems. Illumined by his own lucid commentary, McLeod makes this ancient poem relevant and accessible to today's seeker.The Jigmé Lingpa poem has three sections: how conceptual thinking corrupts deep contemplative practice; the timeless freedom of direct awareness (the Buddhist equivalent of gnosis in Christianity); and subtle errors one often makes in this practice and how to correct them. McLeod's book is likewise divided into three sections. The first is a thoughtful introduction to the text and McLeod's relationship with it; the second is his beautiful and evocative translation of Jigmé Lingpa's poem; the third and main part of the book is his verse-by-verse commentary through which he illuminates the meaning of the poem. McLeod is clearly writing (and writing clearly) for the seeker in today's world who is called to pursue the awareness that Jigmé Lingpa describes.McLeod's lucid practice-oriented commentary is enriched by the seamless interweaving of experiences from his own spiritual journey. What emerges is a picture of a person who felt a profound calling to pursue contemplative practice and the direct and personal ways he found to meet the challenges and he encountered. With great clarity, McLeod communicates the central theme of the poem - namely, that when you rest and do nothing, you find the wisdom of the ages present within you. This is a book for the practitioner of any contemplative tradition--Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Taoism, Judaism or non-dual awareness.