Fiona Batson shares with employer Janice Armstrong her compelling need to return to her childhood home in Peebles, Scotland. Thirty-nine years earlier, her sixteen year old brother Duncan vanished, and Fiona can only bring closure by searching for the clues that led to Duncan's disappearance. Janice refers the fifty-five year old housekeeper to Yvonne Suarez, a travel agent who thwarted an international art theft ring, recovered the golden statue of Hera, and saved Janice's life a year earlier on a trip to Greece.
In the true spirit of Irish storytelling, Leigh Ebberwein weaves an uplifting and powerful tale of the cross-generational impact of reckless choices, the redeeming power of love, and the unbreakable bond of family. Smart and sassy Kathleen Kenny has never ventured far from the protective cocoon of her large, close-knit family and her crazy "tribe" of forever girlfriends. When rich and hunky Jack Murray, an ex-football hero and successful lawyer, pops the question, her perfect (and safe) life in Savannah seems assured. Voices from the past are changing the course of Kathleen's future. But Kathleen's secret inner life beckons her to Ireland to search for answers to her puzzling dreams. Only weeks before the big day, Kathleen announces her plans for a six-week trip to Knock, County Mayo. A confused and furious Jack issues an ultimatum. Is the wedding off? Ireland steals her heart. Kathleen rents a small cottage from the McMillion family and is soon grafted into "small-town" Ireland culture. Handsome Quinn McMillon has recently inherited his father's farm but isn't quite ready to settle down. In denial of the sparks sizzling between them, Kathleen and Quinn fan the sparks by embarking on a three-week European adventure. Decades later, this trip will dramatically impact two families, an ocean apart, and the townsfolk of Knock in unimaginable ways. Become part of the adventure. Experience the beauty of Savannah, the charm of Ireland, and the shenanigans of a host of unforgettable characters with a feel-good story that's full of surprises until the very last page.
Focused in scope, and emphasizes methodological aspects of Celtic scholarship. This collection of original essays illuminates the importance of theoretical considerations in the study of early medieval sources.
Focusing on the Roman west, this book examines the rituals of cursing, their cultural contexts, and their impact on the lives of those who practised them. A huge number of Roman curse tablets have been discovered, showing their importance for helping ancient people to cope with various aspects of life. Curse tablets have been relatively neglected by archaeologists and historians. This study not only encourages greater understanding of the individual practice of curse rituals but also reveals how these objects can inform ongoing debates surrounding power, agency and social relationships in the Roman provinces. McKie uses new theoretical models to examine the curse tablets and focuses particularly on the concept of 'lived religion'. This framework reconfigures our understanding of religious and magical practices, allowing much greater appreciation of them as creative processes. Our awareness of the lived experiences of individuals is also encouraged by the application of theoretical approaches from sensory and material turns and through the consideration of comparable ritual practices in modern social contexts. These stimulate new questions of the ancient evidence, especially regarding the motives and motivations behind the curses.
This book explores serious diseases and disorders that most readers have never heard of, ranging from genetic, infectious, and environmental diseases to autoimmune, idiopathic, and mental disorders. Despite centuries of scientific study and medical research, there are still many human diseases and disorders that remain difficult to manage or are incurable. Some of these maladies are extremely rare, yet, together, they affect a substantial number of people. The 101 Most Unusual Diseases and Disorders examines seldom-seen illnesses, providing high school and college students with an excellent resource for research as well as supplying fascinating reading for general readers interested in diseases and medical science. This book provides clear, easy-to-understand, and scientifically grounded information on the vast number of unusual medical conditions that have been recorded, covering five kinds of diseases and disorders: genetic, infectious, environmental, mental, and "other," which constitutes diseases of autoimmune and unknown origin. Examples of the medical conditions addressed include autoimmune encephalitis, Ebola, kleptomania, Morgellons syndrome, orthorexia, pneumoconiosis, and Prader-Willi syndrome. Selected case studies enable readers to better empathize with the experiences of those who have these disorders and how these afflictions have affected their lives.
Antique dealer and sleuth Lara McClintoch accompanies her employee to County Kerry, Ireland, for the reading of an old friend's will. Eamon Byrne left each of his heirs a clue -- a piece of a puzzle that leads to a mysterious treasure. When Lara discovers the ancient Celtic poem that serves as the key, she closes in on the treasure.
From the gene that causes people to age prematurely to the "bitter gene" that may spawn broccoli haters, this book explores a few of the more exotic locales on the human genome, highlighting some of the tragic and bizarre ways our bodies go wrong when genes fall prey to mutation and the curious ways in which genes have evolved for our survival. Lisa Seachrist Chiu has a smorgasbord of stories to tell about rare and not so rare genetic quirks. We read about the Dracula Gene, a mutation in zebra fish that causes blood cells to explode on contact with light, and suites of genes that also influence behavior and physical characteristics; the Tangier Island Gene, first discovered after physicians discovered a boy with orange tonsils (scientists now realize that the child's odd condition comes from an inability to process cholesterol); and Wilson's Disease, a gene defect that fails to clear copper from the body, which can trigger schizophrenia and other neurological symptoms, and can be fatal if left untreated. Friendlier mutations include the Myostatin gene, which allows muscles to become much larger than usual and enhances strength and the much-envied Cheeseburger Gene, which allows a lucky few to eat virtually anything they want and remain razor thin. While fascinating us with stories of genetic peculiarities, Chiu also manages to effortlessly explain much of the cutting-edge research in modern genetics, resulting in a book that is both informative and entertaining. It is a must read for everyone who loves popular science or is curious about the human body.
Despite the potentially lethal nature of hemochromatosis, the lack of public knowledge about the disease often leads to its being misdiagnosed or ignored by medical professionals. Now, the authors of "Living with Hepatitis B" and "Living with Hepatitis C" bring their knowledge and expertise to bear on a lesser-known--but just as deadly--disease. 25 photos.
An archaeologist unearths a cursed, ancient Roman and draws the ire of an evil witch in this romantic urban fantasy from the author of A Vision in Crimson. Quintus is a dutiful son and soldier, sent to Britannia to improve his marriage prospects and ensure the Druids never rise again. Roman soldiers destroyed the last Druid stronghold in a battle of blood and fire. So, he never expects to be sacrificed to their sacred bog, trapped forever by the gods below. Two thousand years later, Asenath Hayes discovers the most well-preserved body in history. And the last thing she needs is for him to wake up. As the young archaeologist delves into Druidic rituals to grasp why Quintus was offered to a Welsh bog and then resurrected, she is forced to complete her research with the "missing" body, dodge her ex-lover and mentor with his own agenda, and keep her gorgeous new houseguest under wraps. But, smitten with her as he seems, Quintus says he wants to go home. Asenath is drawn to Quintus by the secrets they share, even if it scares her. As Asenath is pulled deeper into the mysteries of the bog, she must risk everything to keep him from hell's cold grasp as she uncovers forbidden rites, awakened deities, and an attraction that transcends the ages.
