Lainie is a thirty year old, full-figured woman entrenched in a love affair with a married man. Although Lainie loves Mason desperately, she vows never to say those three little words while he remains with his wife.Stayman, an enigma in Lainie's close-knit group of friends, has been circling her with interest, trying to garner her attention. When circumstances make it clear who's blocking his way-Mason-Stay goes full-court press in pursuit of Lainie. Lainie doesn't see Stay as relationship potential because she is blinded by her love for Mason. However, the more she learns about Stay, the more she comes to realize she never really knew him in the first place. An unexplainable mystical connection evolves between Lainie and Stay and she has to choose between a man she so hopelessly loves and a man who offers her everything she needs.
After Brigit’s mysterious death at the NoBash, Ariana will stop at nothing to make sure Kaitlynn gets what she deserves. With all the spots now open, getting into the Stone and Grave should be a breeze—but Ariana is not willing to share her new life with her worst enemy. Will Ariana be able to rid herself of her past without exposing where she came from?
Enjoy this epic fantasy series by N. M. Zoltack with plenty of courtly intrigue, murder, action, and adventure! Tenoch’s peace is threatened even more now that the king and prince are dead. Two queens—the king’s brand new wife and the eldest princess—vie for the throne in a power struggle that jeopardizes any accord and good will, especially with Vincana, the southern continent. Perhaps the humans need the dragons to rule them, to maintain order and discipline. Without them, war and chaos seem inevitable. Who will survive? Who will be killed? Only time will tell. KEYWORDS: epic fantasy, high fantasy, action and adventure, full length fantasy, king, prince, princess, royal, historical fantasy, dragon, courtly intrigue, dark fantasy, clean fantasy, war
"[A] searing debut." —i>O, The Oprah Magazine In her powerful collection, first published in 2016 and now featuring new stories, Vanessa Hua gives voice to immigrant families navigating a shifting America. Tied to their ancestral and adopted homelands in ways unimaginable in generations past, these memorable characters span both worlds but belong to none, illustrating the conflict between self and society, tradition and change. This all–new edition of Deceit and Other Possibilities marks the emergence of a remarkable writer.
With this spellbinding first novel about the destructive lies three immigrant generations of a Pakistani/Bangladeshi family tell each other, Roopa Farooki adds a fresh new voice to the company of Zadie Smith, Jhumpa Lahiri and Arudhati Roy. Henna Rub is a precocious teenager whose wheeler-dealer father never misses a business opportunity and whose sumptuous Calcutta marriage to wealthy romantic Ricky-Rashid Karim is achieved by an audacious network of lies. Ricky will learn the truth about his seductive bride, but the way is already paved for a future of double lives and deception--family traits that will filter naturally through the generations, forming an instinctive and unspoken tradition. Even as a child, their daughter Shona, herself conceived on a lie and born in a liar's house, finds telling fibs as easy as ABC. But years later, living above a sweatshop in South London's Tooting Bec, it is Shona who is forced to discover unspeakable truths about her loved ones and come to terms with what superficially holds her family together--and also keeps them apart--across geographical, emotional and cultural distance. Roopa Farooki has crafted an intelligent, engrossing and emotionally powerful Indian family saga that will stay with you long after you've read the last page.
(Berklee Press). Find better rhymes, and use them more effectively. Rhyme is one of the most crucial areas of lyric writing, and this guide will provide you with all the technical information necessary to develop your skills completely. Make rhyme work for you, and your lyric writing will greatly improve. If you have written lyrics before, even at a professional level, you can still gain greater control and understanding of your craft with the exercises and worksheets included in this book. Hone your writing technique and skill with this practical and fun approach to the art of lyric writing. Start writing better than ever before! You will learn to: Use different types of consonant and vowel sounds to improve your lyric story * Find more rhymes and choose which ones are most effective * Spotlight important ideas using rhyme. The second edition of this classic songwriting text contains new strategies and insights, as well as analyses of the rhymes of Randy Newman, Warren Zevon, T.S. Eliot, and other songwriters and poets.
In the echo of silence that follows a loss, we often find ourselves standing on the precipice of an immense void, staring into the depths of grief. This void, though seemingly desolate and forbidding, is the landscape of our healing, a silent testament to the resilience of the human spirit. "Verses from the Void: Poetry for the Mourning Soul" is a journey through this terrain, an exploration of the multifaceted emotions and experiences we encounter when faced with the profound impact of loss. Each chapter in this collection is a beacon of light, illuminating a specific stage of the grieving process. We begin with "Early Grief," a poignant exploration of the initial shock and heartbreak that accompanies loss. The poems in this section serve as raw, candid depictions of the very first steps we take into the labyrinth of grief. "Memories and Nostalgia" and "The Void Whispers" mark the subsequent stages, delving into the heartrending pull of the past and the aching loneliness that seeps into the corners of our existence. These poems evoke images of cherished moments and the daunting silence that reverberates in their absence, respectively. Moving further into the labyrinth, we are met with "Anger and Betrayal" and "Depression and Despair," where the verses embody the turbulence of rage and the deep pits of sorrow. These are the dark valleys of our grief journey, where emotions, raw and unfiltered, rise like tidal waves. "Longing and Yearning" touches upon the deep-rooted desire for what once was, the yearning for the presence of the departed. Each verse echoes with the quiet whispers of longing, like a tender, heartfelt lament for the familiar, now lost. As we navigate the complexity of these emotions, we slowly tread into the realms of "Acceptance and Peace," a stage where the realization of loss transforms into a tranquil understanding. The verses here speak of a farewell - not a final goodbye, but an acceptance of a different form of presence, a continuation of love beyond the physical realm. The final chapter, "Resilience and Healing," represents the dawn breaking on the horizon of our journey. It is a testament to the indomitable human spirit that, even in the face of unimaginable loss, finds the strength to heal and grow. These poems speak of hope and renewal, of finding light in the heart of darkness. "Verses from the Void: Poetry for the Mourning Soul" is more than a collection of poems; it is a compassionate companion for those navigating the winding path of grief. It is an acknowledgement of the pain, a celebration of the memories, and ultimately, a beacon of hope towards healing and reconciliation. It is my sincere hope that these verses bring solace to your mourning soul, reminding you that even in the darkest nights, the dawn awaits.
In grey, 1930s England, Bea has grown up kicking against the conventions of the time, all the while knowing that she will one day have to marry someone her parents choose - someone rich enough to keep the family estate alive. But she longs for so much more - for adventure, excitement, travel, and maybe even romance. When she gets the chance to spend the summer in Italy with her bohemian uncle and his fianc_e, a whole world is opened up to Bea - a world that includes Ben, a cocky young artist who just happens to be infuriatingly handsome too. Sparks fly between the quick-witted pair until one night, under the stars, a challenge is set: can Bea and Ben put aside their teasing and have the perfect summer romance? With their new friends gleefully setting the rules for their fling, Bea and Ben can agree on one thing at least: they absolutely, positively will not, cannot fall in love... A long, hot summer of kisses and mischief unfolds - but storm clouds are gathering across Europe, and home is calling. Every summer has to end - but for Bea, this might be just the beginning.
The Trade and Intercourse Acts passed by Congress between 1796 and 1834 set up a system for individuals to receive monetary compensation from the federal government for property stolen or destroyed by American Indians. By the end of the Mexican-American War, both Anglo-Americans and Nuevomexicanos became experts in exploiting this system—and in using the army to collect on their often-fraudulent claims. As Gregory F. Michno reveals in Depredation and Deceit, their combined efforts created a precarious mix of false accusations, public greed, and fabricated fear that directly led to new wars in the American Southwest between 1849 and 1855. Tasked with responding to white settlers’ depredation claims and gaining restitution directly from Indian groups, soldiers typically had no choice but to search out often-innocent Indians and demand compensation or the surrender of the guilty party, turning once-friendly bands into enemy groups whenever these tense encounters exploded in violence. As the situation became more volatile, citizens demanded a greater army presence in the region, and lucrative military contracts became yet another reason to encourage the continuation of frontier violence. Although the records are replete with officers questioning accusations and discovering civilians’ deceit, more often than not the army was forced to act in direct counterpoint to its duties as a constabulary force. And whenever war broke out, the acquisition of more Indian land and wealth began the cycle of greed and violence all over again. The Trade and Intercourse Acts were manipulated by Anglo-Americans who ensured the continuation of the very conflicts that they claimed to abhor and that the acts were designed to prevent. In bringing these machinations to light, Michno’s book deepens—and darkens—our understanding of the conquest of the American Southwest.
Enter the Graceling Realm and let it work its magic in this unforgettable novel from New York Times bestselling author Kristin Cashore. When Queen Bitterblue took the throne of Monsea, she was a child, and her advisers ran the kingdom for her. Now she is beginning to question their decisions, especially how they handle the legacy of her father Leck, who who ruled through his Grace—a special talent for mind-altering—and his taste for darkness and violence. Bitterblue needs to know Monsea’s past to lead it into the future, so she begins exploring the city sreets at night, disguised and alone. As she does, she meets two thieves, who hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, with a Grace that he hasn't yet identified, holds a key to her heart. Bitterblue is a gateway to the Graceling Realm that braids together magic, memory, and romance. Look for Kristin Cashore's highly-anticipated return to the Graceling Realm, Winterkeep! "Some authors can tell a good story; some can write well. Cashore is one of the rare novelists who do both. Thrillingly imagined and beautifully executed, Bitterblue stands as a splendid contribution in a long literarly tradition." —The New York Times Book Review on Bitterblue * "Brilliantly detailed and brimming with vibrant and dynamic characters." —SLJ, starred review of Bitterblue “There are some books that stick with you for years, and Kristen Cashore’s Fire is one of them. Thoughtful, steamy and completely original, Fire is YA fantasy at its absolute best.”—Sabaa Tahir, author of New York Times bestselling Ember in the Ashes on Fire A New York Times bestseller ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year A BCCB Blue Ribbon Title