Identical twins Aiden and Max Kingsman have been a matched set their whole lives. When they were children, Aiden was happy to follow his extroverted brother's lead, but now that they're in college, being "my brother, Aiden" is starting to get old. He's itching to discover who he is outside of his "twin" identity. Oliver's goals for the summer are simple: survive his invasive family, keep his divorced parents from killing each other, and stay in shape for rowing season. He's thrilled when he runs into his old friends, the Kingsman twins, especially Aiden, the object of a childhood crush. Aiden is all grown-up, but some things have stayed the same: his messy curls, his stability, and how breathless he makes Oliver. Oliver's crush comes back full force, and the feeling is mutual. Summer just got a whole lot hotter. Fun-loving Max takes one thing seriously: his role as "big brother." When Aiden drifts away, Max can't understand how his own twin could choose a boy over him. Summer won't last forever, and with friendship, family, and happily ever after on the line, they'll have to navigate their changing relationships before it's too late.
The premier abridged introduction to an epic six-volume, 3,000 page Trilogy, with achingly beautiful, thought-provoking, thoroughly unique and skillfully crafted collections of poetry, short stories, and romantic verse, that portray the heartfelt and truly profound endeavor as a timeless and deeply memorable wedding of Word and Art . . . The Voyage of Kings ~ A StoryTeller's Dream is a wing-swept journey through the Universe, beginning in the heart of a 'fallen angel' called Ever, as he wanders through the chances and circumstances of humanity, as he drifts within the vast emptiness of his abandonment and exile among the stars, along with all the far-reaching consequences his self-serving pursuit of an ideal has brought to bear upon all Creation, and especially upon his beloved Always, whose tears are the river of this tale . . . A journey that unfolds around his surrender to a spiritual awakening, and ends with his discovery and final embrace of a remarkably simple notion - when fools set out to find what they already possess, they discover only the follies of men . . . Born of an ancient yet unremembered legend, a fairy's tale, old as rhyme and even Time itself, captured in the echoes of uncountable voices across the millennia, comes an achingly beautiful love story, wrapped in the mists and myths of a place called Avalon, and whispering of the mysteries and majesties of God . . . A thoroughly unique collection of short stories and lyrical prose, called DoveTales, that weave an amazing trilogy of dreams into the most vibrant threads of faith, courage, and devotion, which are all then so cleverly crafted to become a glorious tapestry of love, loss, and the triumph of love, again . . . as seen through the eyes of Angels, as they peer into the very hearts and souls of those who always seem to search for Glory, when all they really ever need, is Grace . . . And who might enjoy reading The Voyage of Kings ~ A StoryTeller's Dream? Demographically speaking, any female between the ages of 9 and 90; any male between those very same benchmarks who would like to get to know those females (who now have a remarkably heightened view of themselves after reading it, and a whole new set of standards for those males to measure up to) . . . anyone possessing even a small spark of spiritual insight or inclination, and would be open to considering a vastly simple concept of where they might fit in the grand scheme of things, and the quite attainable realities of their role within it . . . anyone possessing a sense of wonder, and a welcoming regard for a heavenly presence in their world, along with the acknowledgement and embrace of the more compassionate virtues such as patience, tolerance, acceptance and forgiveness, with all respect given to uplifting the human condition beyond measure . . . anyone seeking a remarkably different view of ~mankind, as it relates to womankind~; a dramatically elevated concept regarding the Feminine Ideal and its divine or spiritual significance . . . that will turn all male-dominated religious biases and historically gender-centric portrayals of a woman's place, position or importance in the pantheon of God's cast of characters, on its collective head . . . anyone seeking inspirational, lyrical, romantic, or poetic verse or prose, and wishes to explore alternative expressions of inspired, enlightened, theological, or purpose-driven thought . . . are fully cognizant and accepting of a Christian paradigm of living, and believe that when our creative knowledge embraces our artistic desires, we can achieve global understanding . . .
This short story collection features tales of people who step into the spotlight but once, stumbling, unintentionally making their way through a brief span of time they will never forget. Don't be surprised if they feel familiar to you. A desperate man finds redemption in the form of a lost boy in the middle of a southern California desert; an elderly woman takes refuge from Alzheimer's in her rose garden; two young sisters leave Arizona and their father to head for Alabama and an uncertain future; a lonely man intrigued by an obituary photo begins an odyssey of revelation; a woman's chance encounter in an antique stop results in a mystical experience, and a young girl recalls her poignant last visit with her uncle before his suicide. These are but a few of the wild stories from wild women Carmi Cosmos and Sarah Bates. Read them all!
Melanie’s first love is the boy of her dreams—can she make the relationship last after summer is gone? Fourteen-year-old Melanie is spending the summer on Fire Island with her family when she meets Justin Hart. Handsome and mysterious, he seems as interested in her as she is in him, but insists that their relationship can only be a summer romance. After summer ends, Melanie tries to let go and starts dating another guy back home. But Justin isn’t easy to forget—especially when Melanie sees him on the cover of a magazine! The star of a new show, he has clearly forgotten all about her. Or has he? Melanie is determined to get in touch with him and find out just what she meant to him last summer. This ebook features an illustrated personal history of Ann M. Martin, including rare images from the author’s collection.
For the Love of Nature is an intimate collection of essays written by a man whose love of nature dates back to his earliest days. These travel stories span a range of global ecosystems, with an emphasis on Alaska, a site of great delight for the author. Here is a love letter to the natural world that begins around the ponds, forests, and meadows of a childhood and journeys through a lifelong career as an educator keen on sharing not only passion for the living parts of our planet, but respect and knowledge, as well. Marty Dodge focuses on situations where he had the opportunity to share his informed appreciation for the complexity and beauty of actual places. He describes adventures where, as a college instructor, he led student groups through the Florida Everglades, Costa Rica, Belize, and Alaska. And his adventures didn’t stop when his working life did; Dodge’s post-retirement travel was just as vigorous, and his documented tributes include spirited descriptions of visits to Nepal, Chile, the western United States, and, as ever, his adored Alaska.
"It is a king's decision," said Brion. "It will not be you who deceives and delivers the lamb to the butcher's block," retorted Eimhir. True evil is a persistent and tenacious beast. Its desire for existence is eternal and insatiable. It needs to infect only one mind for its insidious philosophy to take root and spread. It is 394 B.C. At a remote loch in the highlands of Northern Albu, a priest sacrifices nine innocents. Below the water's surface, a shape feeds on their blood and begins to take form. Soon, it becomes sentient and begins to hunt. Sidheag has risen. Humans cannot defeat the abomination. Neither can Mongfhionn, the powerful demi-goddess of the Aes Sídhe. The only remedy is the Blood Queen, and Gràinne is the reluctant heir to that throne. Will the Blood Queen stand alongside Mongfhionn to confront Sidheag? The cost for Gràinne may be too much—unless her daughter, Brianag, is in jeopardy. Passions, always near the surface of the Gaels, burst into flames in The Blood Queen, where father is pitted against son, mother against daughter, sister against sister, brother against sister, and father against daughter. The Blood Queen contains scenes of sex and violence and uses language appropriate to the period in which it is set, i.e., 400 B.C. It is not recommended for those under 14 without parental consent.
Conall II: The Raven’s Flight continues to chronicle the story of Conall and Mórrígan and the epic journey of the warriors from Ériu (Ireland). Conall and his brooding queen, Mórrígan, lead over two thousand warriors with their followers across the narrow sea separating Ériu from Albu. Their quest: the capture of Cassius Fabius Scaeva, the dissolute Roman held responsible for the slaughter of their families. The Ériu encounter human, natural, and supernatural foes and friends. At the mercy of the Aes Sídhe, a race of demi-goddesses who demand that he fulfil his geis, Conall is named the “Hand of the Goddess” and given the instrument that will crush the Na Daoine Tùrsach—a tribe of fanatical, blood-lusting priests. They battle fierce northern tribes: the Forest People's one-eyed king, Drostan Ruadh, opposes their presence, as do the Na Mèadaidh, led by the sly Finnean Mac Sèitheach. Yet, not all are enemies. The Raven People offer their support, although it too comes at a price. Heroes and villains from myth, legend, and history converge in this saga set in the vast ancient forests, frozen bogs, snow-capped mountains, and mysterious lochs of Scotland some four hundred years before the birth of Christ. The Conall Series contains scenes of sex and violence and language appropriate to the period (400 B.C.) it is set in. It is not recommended for those under 14 without parental consent.
From one of the most exciting voices in dark fantasy comes a sweeping story of a soldier on a brutal quest to preserve her kingdom’s future. She was their hope, their martyr, their brother.… Driwna Marghoster, a soldier for the powerful merchant guild known as the Post, is defending her trade caravan from a vicious bandit attack when she discovers a dead body hidden in one of her wagons. Born of the elusive Oskoro people, the body is a rare and priceless find, the center of a tragic tale, and the key to a larger mystery. As she investigates who the body was meant for, Driwna finds herself on a path paved by deceit and corruption…and it will lead her to an evil more powerful than she can possibly imagine. "Adrian Selby’s Brother Red proves to be a thrilling fantasy epic about love, loyalty, and the importance of protecting people in need....this novel is a true page turner in its entirety."—The Nerd Daily Also by Adrian Selby Snakewood The Winter Road
