All is not as it seems in Neverland. As for Peter & Hook... I know the secret most don’t. The real truth behind the myth. The hidden wonder you’ve never known disguised as the notorious legend. I know the nightmare that brings Hook to his knees. The inescapable reality Peter Pan one day couldn’t fly away from. All you’ve ever been told is a lie. A hoax. A pixie trick. I know the truth because... I’m their ruin. I’m their demise. I’m the end of what was & the beginning of what’s to come. My name is Wendy Moira Angela Darling, & I’m the reason for losing Neverland.
When Peter Pan discovers his forbidden magic, he’s faced with an ultimatum. Stay in London, or escape to a whole new world. A place where a fairy named Tinker Bell is his most loyal companion, pirates rule the seas, mermaids are friends with the fae, and lost boys live out their childish dreams. But leaving London comes with a price. Wendy Moira Angela Darling. When Peter decides to steal Wendy away one night, headed for the second star to the right, Tinker Bell’s jealousy grows. The lost boys turn on him. The mermaids and fae work against him. And an evil, dangerous shadow falls on Neverland. Jas Hook.
Author's Note: This book is the sequel to Neverland Falling, A Retelling of Peter Pan, Part I, and it takes place in the Classical Kingdoms Collection fairy tale world. Neverland is breaking. Wendy has been banished. Peter Pan is losing control. Peter has banished Wendy from Neverland, but she's determined to return to save her brothers. To go back, however, she'll need a miracle. Such a miracle will be costly, and Wendy must decide whom to trust and how far she’s prepared to go...as well as how willing she is to leave Peter Pan to his fate. Peter and the Neverstar are barely managing to support the skeleton of the place Neverland once was. And without Wendy beside him, the effort seems doomed. Just when he’s about to give up, though, redemption looms on the horizon…but to reach it will require a sacrifice of monumental proportions. And while Captain Jay might be gone, his schemes haven't been forgotten. The more Peter and the captain and Wendy play their dangerous games, the more Neverland begins to crumble. Everything he loves is going to come crashing down, and Peter must choose which to save before he loses it all. If you want the magic of Narnia and the romance of fairy tales, read the this clean fantasy duology retelling of Peter Pan today to escape into the Classical Kingdoms Collection, a series of clean fantasy fairy tale retellings with magical mystery, clean, passionate romance, and heroic happily-ever-afters. Author’s Note: Breaking Neverland is the ninth book in The Classical Kingdoms Collection and is the sequel to Neverland Falling in the Neverland Duology, which takes place in the world of The Classical Kingdoms Collection While the story is part of the shared world, the duology can be read on its own.
"Before he became Peter Pan, before his arrival to Neverland, he was a boy fighting for survival. Born into the harsh Dickensian London suburbs, an alcoholic mother leaving him in an almost-orphan state, Peter's only retreat from reality was the fantastical stories given to him by a friendly neighbour - allowing him to temporarily escape the darkness of the adult world"--Publisher's description.
Outside Japan, the term ’manga’ usually refers to comics originally published in Japan. Yet nowadays many publications labelled ’manga’ are not translations of Japanese works but rather have been wholly conceived and created elsewhere. These comics, although often derided and dismissed as ’fake manga’, represent an important but understudied global cultural phenomenon which, controversially, may even point to a future of ’Japanese’ comics without Japan. This book takes seriously the political economy and cultural production of this so-called ’global manga’ produced throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia and explores the conditions under which it arises and flourishes; what counts as ’manga’ and who gets to decide; the implications of global manga for contemporary economies of cultural and creative labour; the ways in which it is shaped by or mixes with local cultural forms and contexts; and, ultimately, what it means for manga to be ’authentically’ Japanese in the first place. Presenting new empirical research on the production of global manga culture from scholars across the humanities and social sciences, as well as first person pieces and historical overviews written by global manga artists and industry insiders, Global Manga will appeal to scholars of cultural and media studies, Japanese studies, and popular and visual culture.
Dubai Heights, a prominent building in downtown Dubai, is home to diverse nationalities. A sneak-peek into the lives of a few residents of this much sought-after address offers an insight into the complex web of unconventional relationships set in the transient city. Simona, Lavanya, Elaina and Priyanka are contemporary women who experiment and explore the labyrinth of relationships with their partners to live their dreams. Are they achievers or losers? In this fast-paced book, multiple stories unfold as the city provides a framework to tempt fate and rewrite the layered and fragmented lives of regular people, who moved to the Emirates in search of opportunities. This book is about those who took their chances, which they would have otherwise not taken in their own countries.
“He makes it known he’s dead set on claiming my peach the first chance he gets, and the sooner the better..." It doesn’t have to be a best seller. It doesn’t have to be something new no one has ever read before. So why am I over thinking and making this so damn difficult? I need to focus. To push past the writer’s block, the fear, the taunting rejection that they’ll all think this new book of mine sucks a big fat dick! Am I allowed to say that? Screw it because I just did. I don’t need distractions. Especially mouth-watering, panty-dropping, dirty talking, self-gratifying distractions. Distractions that cause my breath to catch, my thighs to clench, my center to quickly dampen, and my brain to scream only two self-gratifying words. Yes fucking please! OK, that was three. Never mind the fact that he’s my new boss. Forget the idea that he corners me into a fake engagement the first day we meet. Ignore the obvious attraction and the fact that I can’t, for the life of me, stay away from Mr. Brettly Beckett. What’s more, I don’t want to, and he doesn’t make it easy. No, he’s not backing down without putting in some very hard-to-resist, self-pleasure seeking, efforts. Gifting me with the nickname Peaches, he makes it known he’s dead set on claiming my peach the first chance he gets, and the sooner the better. But I quickly learn that could prove too self-destructive if we let it. After all, it's like they say, not everything in life can be as sweet as a peach. Or can it? Praise for Peaches: “I started this book at two in the morning, planning to only read a few chapters, but I was automatically sucked in. I could not put it down until I finished." “I devoured this book! I love Brett and Grace. The chemistry between them is explosive with a bit of comedy.” “I loved this book. More so because the protagonist is so believable. I loved the banter between her and Brett, it’s absolutely the best! Definitely a book I would recommend to everyone!” “The characters draw you in and their story will keep you entertained from beginning to end.” “The last few chapters had me laughing and crying. I've never seen a book wrapped up in quite the same manner, but I loved it!”
The investigative biography of Michael Jackson’s final years: “A tale of family, fame, lost childhood, and startling accusations never heard before” (ABC Nightline). When Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, millions of fans around the world were shocked. But the outpouring of emotion that followed his loss was bittersweet. Dogged by scandal for years and undone by financial mismanagement, Jackson had become untouchable in many quarters. Untouchable pulls back the curtain Jackson’s public person to introduce a man who, despite his immense fame, spent his entire life utterly alone; who, in the wake of a criminal trial that left him briefly hospitalized, abandoned Neverland to wander the globe before making one final—and fatal—attempt to recover his wealth and reputation. The Jackson that emerges in these pages is both naïve and cunning, a devoted father whose parenting became an international scandal, a shrewd businessman whose failures nearly brought down a megacorporation, and an inveterate narcissist who craved a quiet, normal life. Randall Sullivan delivers never-before-reported information about Jackson’s business dealings, his relationship with his family, and the pedophilia allegations that derailed his life and mar his legacy today, as well as the suspicious nature of his death. Based on exclusive access to Jackson’s inner circle, Untouchable is an intimate, unflinching portrait of the man who continues to reign as the King of Pop. “A dishy Michael Jackson biography that makes the exhaustively covered King of Pop fascinating all over again.” —People
From “talented wordsmith” (Publishers Weekly) Lisa Maxwell comes a lush, atmospheric fantasy novel filled with twists and turns about a girl who is kidnapped and brought to an island inhabited by fairies, a roguish ship captain, and bloodthirsty beasts. For as long as she can remember, Gwendolyn Allister has never had a place to call home. Her mother believes they are being hunted by brutal monsters, and those delusions have brought them to London, far from the life Gwen had finally started to build for herself. Gwen’s only saving grace is that her best friend, Olivia, is with her for the summer. But shortly after their arrival, the girls are kidnapped by shadowy creatures and dragged into a world of flesh-eating sea hags and dangerous Fey. And Gwen begins to realize that maybe her mother isn’t so crazy after all… Gwen discovers that this new world she inhabits is called Neverland, but it’s nothing like the Neverland you’ve heard about in stories. Here, good and evil lose their meaning and memories slip like water through your fingers. As Gwen struggles to remember where she came from and tries to find a way home, she must choose between trusting the charming fairy-tale hero who says all the right things and the captivating pirate who promises to keep her safe. Caught in the ultimate battle between good and evil, with time running out and her enemies closing in, Gwen is forced to finally face the truths she’s been hiding from all along. But can she save Neverland without losing herself?
"I wanted to do something special for Motown 25. That's where the moonwalk came from." - Michael Jackson Embark on an extraordinary journey through the life of Michael Jackson, the enigmatic artist who transformed the music industry and captivated audiences worldwide. "Michael Jackson: Beyond the Moonwalk" delves deep into the story of the King of Pop, exploring his unparalleled career, personal struggles, and enduring influence. One of the most thrilling moments in Michael Jackson's career occurred on March 25, 1983, during the television special "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever," celebrating the 25th anniversary of Motown Records. As anticipation built, Michael took the stage, dressed in a black sequined jacket, black pants, white socks, and a single white glove—an ensemble that would become iconic. After performing a medley of hits with his brothers, the Jackson 5, Michael stepped forward to perform "Billie Jean." The opening beats were instantly recognizable, and the audience's excitement was palpable. As Michael sang and danced, his movements were precise yet fluid, each step perfectly in sync with the music. The moment that would go down in history came during the instrumental break of "Billie Jean." Michael paused, then began to glide backward effortlessly, creating the illusion of walking forward while actually moving backward. This move, later known as the moonwalk, left the audience and viewers at home in awe. It was a moment of pure magic, a demonstration of Michael's exceptional talent and his ability to captivate and surprise. From his early days with the Jackson 5 to his groundbreaking solo career, this comprehensive biography captures the essence of Michael's journey. Discover how he revolutionized the music video medium with iconic productions like "Thriller," "Beat It," and "Black or White," setting new standards for visual storytelling. Explore his collaborations with legendary producer Quincy Jones, resulting in timeless albums that blended pop, rock, R&B, and funk, pushing the boundaries of music and performance. The book also provides an unflinching look at Michael's personal struggles, including his battles with vitiligo, lupus, and addiction, and the intense media scrutiny that followed him throughout his life. It addresses the controversies that marred his legacy, including the child abuse allegations and the impact of the 2005 trial on his personal and professional life. Michael's significant humanitarian efforts and his profound impact on social issues through songs like "Man in the Mirror" and "Earth Song" are meticulously detailed, highlighting his dedication to using his platform for positive change. The biography also explores his lasting influence on contemporary artists and the music industry, demonstrating how his innovative techniques in music production, choreography, and performance continue to inspire new generations. "Michael Jackson: Beyond the Moonwalk" is not just a biography; it's a tribute to an artist whose contributions to music, dance, and culture are timeless. With rich detail and comprehensive research, this book paints a vivid portrait of Michael Jackson, celebrating his genius while acknowledging the complexities of his life. Whether you are a lifelong fan or a new admirer, this biography offers a profound and engaging look at the man who forever changed the landscape of popular music.