The Privilege of the Sword

The Privilege of the Sword

Author: Ellen Kushner

Publisher: Spectra

Published: 2006-07-25

Total Pages: 402

ISBN-13: 0553902830

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From the award-winning author of Swordspoint comes a witty, wicked coming-of-age story that is both edgy and timeless. . . . Welcome to Riverside, where the aristocratic and the ambitious battle for power and prestige in the city’s labyrinth of streets and ballrooms, theatres and brothels, boudoirs and salons. Into this alluring and alarming world walks a bright young woman ready to take it on and make her fortune. A well-bred country girl, Katherine knows all the rules of conventional society. Her biggest mistake is thinking they apply. Katherine’s host and uncle, Alec Campion, the capricious and decadent Mad Duke Tremontaine, is in charge here—and to him, rules are made to be broken. When he decides it would be far more amusing for his niece to learn swordplay than to follow the usual path to ballroom and husband, her world changes forever. And there’s no going back. Blade in hand, it’s up to Katherine to find her own way through a maze of secrets and betrayals, nobles and scoundrels—and to gain the power, respect, and self-discovery that come to those who master. . . . “Unholy fun, and wholly fun . . . an elegant riposte, dazzlingly executed.”—Gregory Maguire, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked


The Bible Unwrapped

The Bible Unwrapped

Author: Meghan Larissa Good

Publisher: MennoMedia, Inc.

Published: 2018-09-28

Total Pages: 251

ISBN-13: 1513802356

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Foreword by Greg Boyd 2019 Outreach Magazine Resource of the Year: Theology/Biblical Studies Category Many people have questions about Scripture they are too afraid to ask. Are all the stories of the Bible true? What about all the books that got left out? What do we make of all that violence? What do we do when biblical authors seem to disagree? And what if we encounter situations the Bible doesn’t address? Drawing from the best of contemporary biblical scholarship and the ancient well of Christian tradition, scholar and preacher Meghan Larissa Good helps readers consider why the Bible matters. Known for presenting complex theological ideas in accessible, engaging ways, Good delves into issues like biblical authority, literary genre, and Christ-centered hermeneutics, and calls readers beyond either knee-jerk biblicism, on the one hand, or skeptical disregard on the other. Instead, The Bible Unwrapped invites readers to faithful reading, communal discernment, and deep and transformative wonder about Scripture. Join an honest conversation about the Bible that is spiritually alive and intellectually credible. Read the ancient story of God in the world. You may even learn to love it.


Sex! Drugs!...And Ronald Reagan?

Sex! Drugs!...And Ronald Reagan?

Author: Michael Jay

Publisher: Page Publishing Inc

Published: 2018-04-19

Total Pages: 321

ISBN-13: 1641386320

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This book is a tell-all, no-holds-barred, in-depth exploration of my experiences in the hotel and restaurant industry. Some stories detail the lack of scruples while others with the lack of morals, not all bad though. You will read about some celebrities at their best and others at their worst. When you are finished with this book, you will never look at your waiter/waitress the same again, you will bring your own sheets to the hotel, and you will have your attorney double-check any contracts you sign. By the end, you will definitely laugh, possibly cry, and most certainly recommend this book to a friend.


One Fine Duke

One Fine Duke

Author: Lenora Bell

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: 2019-07-23

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13: 0062692453

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A Mass Market Original—Also Available in a Hardcover Library Edition USA Today bestselling author Lenora Bell returns with her third book in the sexy School for Dukes series. Ready. Raised in the countryside by her overprotective uncle, Miss Mina Penny’s dream of a triumphant London season is finally here. She determined her perfect match long ago: Rafe Bentley, the wickedest rake of them all. There’s only one very large, very unyielding obstacle: Rafe’s brother Drew, the reclusive Duke of Thorndon. Aim. This was supposed to be simple. Duke goes to London. Duke selects suitable bride. Love match? Not a chance. But when Drew meets Mina, she complicates everything. How can a lady armed with such beauty and brains fall for his irresponsible degenerate of a brother? Drew vows to save her from heartbreak and ruin, no matter the cost. Desire! But Mina is no damsel in distress. She’s daring, intuitive, passionate…and halfway to melting Drew’s cold heart. And although Mina thought she knew exactly what she wanted, one breathtakingly seductive kiss from Drew changes everything. Now Mina must decide between long-held dreams and dangerous new desires. Could her true destiny lie in the arms of a duke?


The Duke's Gamble

The Duke's Gamble

Author: Miranda Jarrett

Publisher: Harlequin

Published: 2012-01-17

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 1459229681

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A Daring Duke… Eliot Fitzharding, Duke of Guilford, once visited Penny House to enjoy the games of chance. Now he finds that his heart beats faster—not at the turn of a card, but at the thought of matching wits with Miss Amariah Penny, the fashionable club’s proprietress. Amariah, a clever copper-haired beauty, enjoys Guilford’s company as well…perhaps too much. If only he were not so wickedly attractive! When an unknown gambler accuses Penny House of harboring a cheat—and threatens violence if the man is not expelled—Guilford comes immediately to Amariah’s rescue. But as the two of them race to shield Penny House from the rumors, they risk becoming an item of choice gossip themselves….


The Duke's Unexpected Bride

The Duke's Unexpected Bride

Author: Lara Temple

Publisher: Harlequin

Published: 2017-05-01

Total Pages: 168

ISBN-13: 1488021384

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A runaway pug leads a country miss into the world of a handsome duke . . . and he’ll never be the same . . . in this witty Regency romance. Sophie Trevelyan has been enjoying her visit to London, even if her closest companion is an overweight pug! Then she encounters the dashing Duke of Harcourt, who intrigues her more than is strictly proper . . . Max knows he must marry. He’s looking for the opposite of his high-spirited fiancée, who died some years ago, so he tries to keep his distance from bubbly Sophie. But when her life is endangered, Max feels compelled to rescue her . . . with a very unexpected proposal!


Wealth Management Unwrapped, Revised and Expanded

Wealth Management Unwrapped, Revised and Expanded

Author: Charlotte B. Beyer

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2017-08-29

Total Pages: 195

ISBN-13: 1119403677

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You are the CEO of My Wealth, Inc. — so Take Charge! Wealth Management Unwrapped provides you with the tools and tips you need to take back control and more effectively manage your money. Wall Street veteran Charlotte Beyer conducts a tour of the wealth management industry, guiding you through the complexities and jargon with straightforward, no-nonsense expertise. From choosing an advisor and understanding the fine print, to fulfilling your responsibilities as CEO of My Wealth, Inc. this book offers all-in-one guidance for anyone ready to take charge of their finances. This revised and expanded version has been updated with NEW information, for women investors who seek the best advisor, older investors who confront investment choices, and a discussion on both robo-advisors and the impact of your wealth on your children. The companion website includes new interactive diagnostics to help you get started, assess your progress and then see how you compare to others who face similar challenges. By stripping away industry tech-speak and the all-too-common self-promotion, you will: Understand the difference between advisor and money manager Learn the best questions to ask when interviewing an advisor Dissect fee disclosure statements and conflicts of interest Find out if you might be a do-it-yourself investor and learn why that might make sense for your personality The wealth management industry has undergone massive change over the past 25 years. New services or products spring up, yet impenetrable language and marketing hype leave you with precious little practical information. In two or three hours of reading made easier thanks to the bold, often amusing illustrations, you will be a far smarter investor, not by learning the jargon but by applying common sense and insisting on clearer communications from your advisor. You and your advisor can create an even stronger and long lasting partnership by reading this book together. Wealth Management Unwrapped is like a powerful GPS, whether you're a novice or sophisticated investor, offering you a much clearer view of how to fully realize the dreams and goals your wealth now affords you.


Shella

Shella

Author: Andrew Vachss

Publisher: Vintage Crime/Black Lizard

Published: 2001-09-25

Total Pages: 239

ISBN-13: 0375719075

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From the author of the acclaimed Burke private-eye series comes an ambitious and chilling novel that shows us not only what evil is, but where it comes from. For Shella is nothing less than a tour of evil's spawning ground, conducted by one of its natural predators. He is called "Ghost" because he is so nondescript as to be invisible and because he slays with such reflexive ease that he might be one of the dead. Once he traveled with a woman who was called "Shella" -- because those who had treated her as a horrendously ill-used child had tried to make her come out of her shell. Now Shella has vanished in a wilderness of strip clubs and peep shows, and Ghost is looking for her, guided by a killer's instinct and the recognition that can only exist between two people who have been damaged past the point of no return. The result is Andrew Vachss's most compelling work to date, the thriller reimagined as a bleak romance of the damned.


Mummies around the World

Mummies around the World

Author: Matt Cardin

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2014-11-17

Total Pages: 505

ISBN-13: 1610694201

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Perfect for school and public libraries, this is the only reference book to combine pop culture with science to uncover the mystery behind mummies and the mummification phenomena. Mortality and death have always fascinated humankind. Civilizations from all over the world have practiced mummification as a means of preserving life after death—a ritual which captures the imagination of scientists, artists, and laypeople alike. This comprehensive encyclopedia focuses on all aspects of mummies: their ancient and modern history; their scientific study; their occurrence around the world; the religious and cultural beliefs surrounding them; and their roles in literary and cinematic entertainment. Author and horror guru Matt Cardin brings together 130 original articles written by an international roster of leading scientists and scholars to examine the art, science, and religious rituals of mummification throughout history. Through a combination of factual articles and topical essays, this book reviews cultural beliefs about death; the afterlife; and the interment, entombment, and cremation of human corpses in places like Egypt, Europe, Asia, and Central and South America. Additionally, the book covers the phenomenon of natural mummification where environmental conditions result in the spontaneous preservation of human and animal remains.


The Duke's Deceit

The Duke's Deceit

Author: Sherrill Bodine

Publisher: Diversion Books

Published: 2013-12-01

Total Pages: 219

ISBN-13: 1626812101

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A case of amnesia and a desperate lie are the start to an irresistible tale of love in this Regency romance from the author of Scandal’s Child. When Mary Masterton gazes into the eyes of a handsome stranger and informs him that they’re engaged, he has no reason to doubt her. After all, his head injury has resulted in a complete loss of memory. Mary, however, clearly remembers the stable fire and the brave man who saved her prized horses—this man before her now, who has unwittingly become her fiancé to thwart the advances of a loathsome suitor. Richard’s signet ring is the only clue to the stranger’s true identity as the Duke of Avalon. Determined to reclaim his past, he begs Mary to accompany him on a journey to track down the ring’s meaning. Having rescued herself from a loveless marriage and the plans of her scheming relatives, Mary once more faces a seemingly hopeless situation. But as she falls deeply in love with Richard, she vows to tell him the truth. If only the truth were as simple as deceit. “A talented author with a real gift for linking the modern reader to the glamorous past.” —RT Book Reviews