A witty collection of short stories from the author of "Pleasure Victim". Modern stories which reach into the art of romance in a modern northern city. The stories move quietly like a summer breeze carrying whispers of encouragement. Not completely romance stories but a bit independent urging the reader to explore today while it lasts.
The followup to Family Storms, this book follows Sasha Porter, now a senior in high school, as new troubles unfold with her foster family. Since being taken in by wealthy Mrs. Jordan March and living in her exquisite home like a daughter, Sasha Porter’s traumatic past—destitute on the streets, and the shattering accident that killed her mother—seems like a fading nightmare. Beautiful and sophisticated, as bold and daring as her “sister,” Kiera March, Sasha still keeps her mother’s wise words close to her heart: never fully trust anyone. Inside her privileged new world, it’s advice that will prove more precious than gold. Against the wishes of Jordan’s husband, Donald, Sasha attracts the attention of Duane Banks, a shy, handsome athlete, and maneuvers her way into his heart. But Duane’s hidden torment soon explodes in a horrific tragedy that pulls Sasha into a flood of guilt and despair. And when someone she thought she could trust targets her vulnerability, Sasha recalls her mother’s warnings—and a violent storm of dark deceptions and shocking family secrets is unleashed. Will she sink or swim?
"Splendidly entertaining."—Kirkus Reviews ★ "A delightfully quirky story with nuance, depth, and a colorful cast of characters, this book begs for multiple readings." —School Library Journal (starred) ★ "Like a middle-grade version of Terry Pratchett's Discworld—fantasy adventure steeped in humor, with a touch of satire, and set in a whimsical secondary world of the highest order." —Booklist (starred) "The tale crescendos to an uplifting close that promotes honesty, bravery, and self-confidence." —Publishers Weekly Twelve-year-old Esther Mettlestone-Staranise loves reading books and writing stories but is troubled by low self-esteem and recurring bad dreams. When she starts the year at boarding school in earnest, she quickly notices something isn't quite right. Her two best friends are mysteriously missing. There are rumors her new teacher is secretly an actual ogre. And the scenic mountains of her quaint little town are teeming with Shadow Mages and danger. As secrets and dangers escalate, Esther must find the answers to several puzzles. Why is her teacher behaving so oddly? Which of Esther's classmates is the Spellbinder, and can they really protect the school from gathering hordes of Shadow Mages? Could the Stolen Prince of Cloudburst be connected? How can Esther – who is not talented like her sisters, nor an adventurer like her cousin, but just Esther – save her family, her school and possibly her entire world?
May Anna Kovacks was discovered on the dustry streets of Butte, Montana and went on to become a Hollywood star. War, fame, marriage, love, and heartbreak came and went. What never changed was the bond she shared with her two best friends, Effa Commander and Whippy Bird. When scandal, murder, and betrayal made a legend of May Anna, only Effa and Whippy Bird could set the record straight.
Midnight’s Ghost Riders –‘I Am’ the Word – with the fate of mankind still hanging in the balance, the unlikely band of heroes embark on a mission to try and rescue little Zack. Will the Ghost Riders be able to save him from the fallen angel? What about Zorah? Has his hidden identity fi nally been revealed? What lies ahead for the young boy as he grows into a man? Find out in this final sequel, Midnight’s Ghost Riders – ‘The Lamb Returns’ – Armageddon and follow the adventures of the trio to proclaim to mankind, either change your evil ways or be doomed forevermore upon the return of ‘The Lamb-Yeshua.’ Will Zorah succeed this time with his New World Order? Find six jingles (song titles) in this sci-fi thriller starting with the title of this book. Perfect for lovers of fantasy. The twists and turns never stop and the end is never the end. Have you decided where you’re going to spend your eternity?
An irresistible tale of jealousy, deception and drama, Cloudburst is the second in this gripping series from the New York Timesbestselling author Sasha, a popular senior in high school, with excellent grades finds herself increasingly attracted to Duane Banks, a boy who stands out not because he flaunts his good looks and his achievements at the school like so many, but because he is shy and somewhat withdrawn. He's one of the few good-looking boys who pays little attention to her, and that makes him more interesting. When auditions for the new school play begin, she and Duane both get parts and Duane slowly seems to be coming out of his shell, permitting himself to hope and succeed at something. But when neither of his parents show up to see the play, Duane goes into depression. When one morning Duane doesn't show up for school, Sasha is distraught to learn that he has taken his own life. Blaming herself for not working harder to make him happy, Sasha too begins a downward spiral into depression. But Sasha finds support and comfort from an unexpected quarter.
Save This Land discusses some topical issues of the environment. In each of the six chapters, a topic is chosen, the problem is analysed, the dangers are described and the solutions are presented with an appeal to all for proaction to save this land. The imminent desertification caused by deforestation of land, amply served by the monsoon, must be averted by the construction of hundreds of thousands of micro-dams. The threat of sea level rise needs to be combated by undertaking a massive project of Coastal Works. The Ganga could remain perennial only with significant reforestation and strengthening of lateral and terminal moraines in the Himalaya. “When rivers die, civilisations die,” and this land faces an existential crisis because of the rivers choked to death by a vast deposition of sediments that need to be excavated for their revival. The Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi must be revived too. Bodies of good clean drinking water are the heritage of humanity and they are getting polluted. The water quality is paramount and must be maintained.