Summer Thorne and Cooper Carlyle are tying the knot... or are they? When the unthinkable happens, and their meticulously designed rings go missing, only one culprit comes to mind—Saul! With only an hour to spare, the frantic couple must find the rings and get their wedding back on track. But Saul isn't talking, and the ceremony of their dreams has the potential to be their worst nightmare.
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR • From the renowned author of “The Lottery” and The Haunting of Hill House, a spectacular volume of previously unpublished and uncollected stories, essays, and other writings. Features “Family Treasures,” nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Short Story Shirley Jackson is one of the most important American writers of the last hundred years. Since her death in 1965, her place in the landscape of twentieth-century fiction has grown only more exalted. As we approach the centenary of her birth comes this astonishing compilation of fifty-six pieces—more than forty of which have never been published before. Two of Jackson’s children co-edited this volume, culling through the vast archives of their mother’s papers at the Library of Congress, selecting only the very best for inclusion. Let Me Tell You brings together the deliciously eerie short stories Jackson is best known for, along with frank, inspiring lectures on writing; comic essays about her large, boisterous family; and whimsical drawings. Jackson’s landscape here is most frequently domestic: dinner parties and bridge, household budgets and homeward-bound commutes, children’s games and neighborly gossip. But this familiar setting is also her most subversive: She wields humor, terror, and the uncanny to explore the real challenges of marriage, parenting, and community—the pressure of social norms, the veins of distrust in love, the constant lack of time and space. For the first time, this collection showcases Shirley Jackson’s radically different modes of writing side by side. Together they show her to be a magnificent storyteller, a sharp, sly humorist, and a powerful feminist. This volume includes a Foreword by the celebrated literary critic and Jackson biographer Ruth Franklin. Praise for Let Me Tell You “Stunning.”—O: The Oprah Magazine “Let us now—at last—celebrate dangerous women writers: how cheering to see justice done with [this collection of] Shirley Jackson’s heretofore unpublished works—uniquely unsettling stories and ruthlessly barbed essays on domestic life.”—Vanity Fair “Feels like an uncanny dollhouse: Everything perfectly rendered, but something deliciously not quite right.”—NPR “There are . . . times in reading [Jackson’s] accounts of desperate women in their thirties slowly going crazy that she seems an American Jean Rhys, other times when she rivals even Flannery O’Connor in her cool depictions of inhumanity and insidious cruelty, and still others when she matches Philip K. Dick at his most hallucinatory. At her best, though, she’s just incomparable.”—The Washington Post “Offers insights into the vagaries of [Jackson’s] mind, which was ruminant and generous, accommodating such diverse figures as Dr. Seuss and Samuel Richardson.”—The New York Times Book Review “The best pieces clutch your throat, gently at first, and then with growing strength. . . . The whole collection has a timelessness.”—The Boston Globe “[Jackson’s] writing, both fiction and nonfiction, has such enduring power—she brings out the darkness in life, the poltergeists shut into everyone’s basement, and offers them up, bringing wit and even joy to the examination.”—USA Today “The closest we can get to sitting down and having a conversation with . . . one of the most original voices of her generation.”—The Huffington Post
New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory teamed up to write The Obsidian Trilogy, set in a wondrous world filled with magical beings, competing magic systems, and a titanic struggle between good and evil. That world proved so popular with the creators and readers alike that Lackey and Mallory have returned to it with The Phoenix Unchained, Book One of The Enduring Flame, the opening volume of a new epic fantasy trilogy. After a thousand years of peace, much Magick has faded from the world. The Elves live far from humankind. There are no High Mages, and Wild Mages are seen only rarely. Bisochim, a powerful Wild Mage, is determined to reintroduce Darkness to the world, believing that it is out of Balance. Tiercel, a young Armethalian nobleman, is convinced that High Magic is not just philosophy. He attempts a spell—and draws the unwelcome attention of Bisochim. Tiercel survives Bisochim's attack and begins trying to turn himself into a High Mage. Next in line to be Harbormaster of Armethalieh, Harrier instead finds himself regularly saving Tyr's life and meeting magickal people and creatures. To Harrier's dismay, it seems that he must become a hero. In The Phoenix Unchained, Harrier and Tiercel begin a marvelous journey to uncover their destinies. Along the way, they meet a charming female centaur, several snooty Elves, and the most powerful dragon their world has ever known. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Why are we drawn to the work of Alfred Hitchcock so long after his final film appeared? What is the source of Hitchcock’s magic? This book answers these questions by focussing upon the fabric of the films themselves, upon the way in which they enlist and sustain our desire, holding our attention by constantly withholding something from us.
In the enchanting town of Veridalia, secrets have been concealed for centuries. When a mysterious relic awakens, the choice to reveal its hidden world to the outside sparks a journey of magic, unity, and transformation. Follow the tale of Amelia and Henry, from their humble beginnings as curious explorers to their heroic roles in guiding Veridalia through challenges both mystical and profound. As the town opens its doors to the world, it becomes a hub of wonder and discovery, blending ancient enchantments with the marvels of the modern age. But the relic's power attracts a malevolent force that threatens to consume everything. In the face of darkness, Veridalia's residents unite to protect their home, embracing a legacy of unity and choice. "Veridalia: Unveiling the Magic Within" is a captivating journey of courage, resilience, and the enduring power of choice, where a town's hidden world is revealed, and its destiny is shaped by its people.
Embark on a magical journey with "Rainbow Friends: A Tale of Diversity," a captivating children's book that weaves together the enchanting stories of colorful characters in Rainbow Valley. Join Red Ruby, Orange Oscar, Yellow Daisy, Green Gus, Blue Bella, and Purple Percy as they discover the magic of diversity, friendship, and the vibrant colors within their hearts. Each chapter unfolds a new adventure, teaching young readers valuable lessons about kindness, courage, and the joy of embracing change. Filled with whimsical illustrations and heartwarming tales, this book is perfect for children aged 3-8. Immerse your child in a world where imagination, friendship, and the beauty of diversity come to life. "Rainbow Friends" is not just a book; it's a journey into the kaleidoscope of emotions and lessons that shape the colors of our lives. Grab your copy today and let the magic of Rainbow Valley inspire young hearts.
"The First Day in Norway" is an evocative narrative that transports readers into the intimate and transformative moments of the writer and his family's arrival in Norway in December 2019. Set against the enchanting backdrop of winter, with the landscape draped in snow and the air filled with the festive spirit of Christmas, the book unfolds as a personal chronicle of new beginnings. Through rich and vivid descriptions, the writer captures the sensory tapestry of our first day, from the crisp winter air to the magical ambiance of Christmas in a new land. Readers are invited to witness the family's initial experiences, from stepping onto Norwegian soil to navigating the cultural nuances of our surroundings. The narrative goes beyond mere observation, delving into the emotional nuances of adaptation and the awe-inspiring moments that characterize the first day in a foreign country. The writer skilfully weaves together the sights, sounds, and emotions, creating a literary canvas that paints a picture of discovery and connection. As the family navigates the unique challenges and joys of this momentous day, "The First Day in Norway" becomes more than a recounting of events; it becomes a heartfelt exploration of the human experience in the face of change and the beauty of embracing a new life, especially during the enchanting winter and Christmas season in Norway.
Born in Rabat, Morocco, Helene E. Hagan received her earlier education in Morocco and at Bordeaux University, France, where she received a Masters Degree in British and American Studies. She also holds two Masters Degrees from Stanford University, California, one in French and Education, and the other in Cultural and Psychological Anthropology. After conducting fi eldwork among the Oglala Lakota people of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, she worked as Associate Professor at the JFK University Graduate School of Psychology in Orinda, California, and owned an American Indian art gallery in Marin County. She has served as President of the non-profi t educational organization, Tazzla Institute for Cultural Diversity, since 1993. She has written numerous newspaper and magazine articles, three anthropological books on Berber (Amazigh) culture and fi lmed, edited and produced over fi fty community service television programs on a variety of topics related to American Indian and Berber culture, arts, and human right issues, through Amazigh Video Productions. Helene Hagan is a lifetime Associate Curator of the Paul Radin Collection at Marquette University Special Archives. In 2007, Helene was a guest Professor for the First Berber Institute held at the University of Oregon, Corvallis. In 2008, she created the Los Angeles Amazigh Film Festival. Other books by this author published by Xlibris: The Shining Ones: Etymological Essay on the Amazigh Roots of Ancient Egyptian Civilization (2000) Tuareg Jewelry: Traditional Patterns and Symbols (2006) Tazzunt: Ecology, Ritual and Social Order in the Tessawt Valley of the High Atlas of Morocco (2011)
