Edinburgh schoolteacher Brian Reid has an ambition - to pass a fairly basic piano exam. After trying a number of teachers, he finds one who might be able to help him...This short story was written as a prequel to the full-length novel "Four Old Geezers And A Valkyrie".How do older couples survive raising pre-school kids in modern America? You take notes and chronicled the journey in a series of rollicking, outrageous columns in the community newspaper. At least that’s what Lee B. Mulder did. “Couples that get pregnant in their 40’s and 50’s must be nuts,” he writes. “These are people with productive jobs, breakable furniture, cars without Cheerios and a comfortable lifestyle. But from the moment the rabbit dies, that all changes.”In this volume, the reader learns many valuable things from the point of view of a dad who’s way beyond young adult, things such as small children can be used as strategic weapons, powerful career women can also be powerful in the laundry, that STD Barbie is a very popular doll and that obedience training children with a collar and leash yields surprising results.Mulder’s fans write:“Wow, it’s refreshing. That’s me in there.” - Mrs. D.J., Glen Ellyn IL“I laughed out loud,” - Mrs. W.S., San Antonio TX“I enjoy your column every week. Is that stuff TRUE?” Mrs. D.C., Nashville TN“What are you, Erma Bombeck in dad’s clothing?” - Mr. T.W., Atlanta GACover design Julie SartainCover photo Jaimie Duplass, Bigstock Photo

Follow the adventures of the Scarburgs through the Civil War as they struggle to save their beloved plantation ‘Scarlett,’ overcome the fears of battle and withstand the hardships of prison life at the hands of the Yankees while constantly trying to decipher the code from the past. Does the code tell of treasury or is it a message of dire warning.A code, a secret message passed down through the Scarburg family resurfaces once again during the Civil War. What does it mean? All Robert Steven Scarburg knows is the secret began with his grandfather John ‘Pappy’ Scarburg during the Revolutionary War. What clandestine message has the early Scarburg patriarch send to him. Is it a code foretelling of hidden treasure or a message suggesting a dire warning? Now his two oldest sons, Luke and Matthew have determined they must enlist and fight for the South. Robert will not let his sons fight alone, at age forty-nine he enlists. Being critically wounded at Devil’s Den during the Battle of Gettysburg he passes the code “2K168” on to his sons, hoping they will survive to discover it meaning.

A painter is attracted to his male model as well as a rough prostitute he pays to only listen to his problems.Robert is a painter on the rise, but he feels as if he's being split in two. His model and roommate Jake is taking him under his wing and becoming a "bro". He has also made friends with a prostitute named Liz who he plays to simply listen to his problems. One he feels as if he should be attracted to, and the other he feels as if he shouldn't. He feels love for both, but his body is as confused as his mind. Which one he should reach out to is an all or nothing choice, and the wrong choice will destroy his world.

McJone's Foundry School Choir is to represent California in the Children's Choir Tournament in Beijing, China! The girls face challenges from jet lag to chopsticks. Will they be able to get over the culture shock in time to capture the championship in the Tournament?A nostalgic short about the true meaning of Christmas. Through the voice of a young narrator we find out about Ralph, the eighty-year-old man who never learned to read or write. Ralph has a burning need to send a Christmas card to his estranged sister, and with the children's help, learns much more than the ABC's.

Phire Wilson is about to take her talent search agency to the next level by signing an up and coming NBA star. She has been all work and no play over her career. Now that it is time to make the biggest deal of her career thus far she is starting to feel that a little play time might be in order. Darius catches her eye, but she knows that he is like a forbidden fruit for her career. Will she bite?In “Conversations with Clete,” Cletus Rossiter, a man in his mid-sixties, is concerned about his snoring and sleep apnea, and records himself while sleeping in order to find out how bad his apnea is. But he gets far more than he bargained for when strange voices show up in the recordings and he even hears himself speaking German, a language he doesn’t know. He encounters Kruger, a Nazi soldier; Zeralda, a widow from the 1880s, and a club boxer, Kid Pierpont. Clete is left to wonder if these are dreams or if he is dealing with ghosts from the historic past?

Dhaka 2.0 is the re-release of a cut chapter vignette from The Past Forward that focuses on a dream of a character that will have a great impact on the future of the whole Tin Universe. And it has new cover!!!Jingle Spells is a feel-good holiday collection of witch-themed tales, from a witch hunt at the winter solstice, to a Christmas dinner in danger of being ruined by an imp. Here you will find a sparkly pair of shoes holding one woman’s destiny, and a magical, mystery-solving cup of latte. Meet a broken young woman unaware of the powers she possesses, and a teenage boy with the fate of the world on his shoulders.Featuring short stories from veteran authors J. Laslie, Sidonia Rose, and Heather Marie Adkins, and introducing Sammi Cox, Brittany White, and K. Laslie. Sit back with a steaming mug, light up the fireplace, and enjoy these six tales of magic, mayhem, and love.Solstice Flames by J. LaslieA Midwinter Manifestation by Sammi CoxThe Witch’s Shoes by Sidonia RoseMolly by Brittany WhiteHoliday Dreams by K. LaslieThe Witch’s Brew by Heather Marie Adkins

After going through years of what they call "incomprehensible hell", four friends; Michael, Jonathan, Vince, and Seth plot redemption for themselves, and only themselves.Bella,Bea and Bianca work hard to ensure that their parent's 50th wedding anniversary celebration goes with a swing. Timo and Bertha have weathered the storms of a difficult union,with too many secrets kept quiet for the sake of the family. There's a limit on how long a good man can do the right thing though,and freedom and joy look more attractive than servitude and misery. Someone is about to make their escape bid...

Jennifer and twins Jack and Claire spend their summer holiday in France. When they meet two French children, their adventures begin. While unravelling an 18th century mystery, the children are caught in another more dangerous one. Who is the ghostly girl haunting Jennifer? Will the children escape from a gang of criminals? And why does Orion seem to be guiding all their actions?“The Orion Ghost” is a fast paced adventure story. Twelve year old Jennifer and her twin siblings Jack and Claire fly to the Atlantic coast of France to spend their summer holiday in a rambling chateau with their artist Aunt Isabelle. When they meet two French children and their dog, who live in an ancient nearby lighthouse, their adventures begin. They discover an old map and a huge, ancient key hidden in the pocket of an 18th century greatcoat. The children set out to decode the map and search for treasure hidden by the original owners of the chateau who were forced to flee from Paris at the time of the French Revolution. While unravelling the 18th century mystery, the children are unwittingly caught up in another much more dangerous one. Will Jennifer find out the identity of the ghostly girl who has haunted her since her arrival in France? Will the children escape from the clutches of a gang of criminals? And why does the star constellation of Orion seem to be guiding all their actions?About the authorOlivia Rogers grew up in Australia. She now lives in London and the Atlantic coast of France where “The Orion Ghost” is set. She has previously published text books for college students and is currently writing the next Jennifer Jeffries adventure which is set in Paris France.

We meet this group of friends at the farewell; it is the last night before school is officially over. The friends then scatter, as they pursue their goals and live their lives, following many and varied roads. Then, many years later, there is a school reunion. Who will return?On the last night before high school finishes forever, we meet a group of friends as they party and enjoy each others company in the final moments of their school life. But we soon become aware that, each person in this group is a unique individual; each coming from a different background; each possessing diverse talents and abilities, and differing dreams, secrets and desires. The friends go off into the world, making their separate way through life, to pursue their dreams and hopes. But some of our friends have secrets, held close for years, and these secrets may haunt them for years to come. Others look around and years later, find that they are on a life pathway that surprises or disappoints them. Then, years later, there is a reunion.

FiFi was not happy the day Ethan was brought home from the animal shelter... but Ethan was enthralled! Having spent months in doggy jail, Ethan was bound and determined to show his new parents how appreciative he truly was.Ethan had experienced many emotional ups and downs for numerous months when he was finally adopted by his fur-ever home. Unfortunately that home already had a dog and that miniature white poodle was not very happy to be notified she was getting a brother. While it took time, patience and persistence, Ethan finally proved himself worthy to FiFi by being the best dog he could possibly be.

So great is Newton's love for money that he inevitably comes face to face with things he never imagine existed--demons. But he had thought the chest was filled with gold and would completely change his life. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case, the sea drawn chest contained demons that lived cooped inside for a century plus and Newton must find a way to deal with them as he puts his and his wife’s.So great is Newton's love for money that he inevitably comes face to face with things he never imagine existed--demons. But he had thought the chest was filled with gold and would completely change his life. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case, the sea drawn chest contained demons that lived cooped inside for a century plus and Newton must find a way to deal with them as he puts his and his wife’s life in danger.

Grace Carlyle's world was about to change . . . Deep in the jungle on the trail of her missing brother, Grace never expected to find a secret world populated by mythological monsters -- nor guarded by a sword-wielding being whose beauty put mortal men to shame. Darius en Kragin belongs to a race of shape-shifting warriors sworn to guard Atlantis and kill all travelers who stray within its boundaries. Yet when Grace stumbles into his realm, he finds himself tempted to betray his centuries-old vow. Now their forbidden love will either bring their worlds together -- or tear them both apart.

Currently unavailable. The club was packed, the music was loud, and the alcohol was flowing. Jessie couldn’t keep her eyes off of the exotic man drinking by himself across the room. Kai couldn’t keep his gaze from the buxom brunette laughing with her friends at the bar. Fate pulled them together, giving them a night that neither one would soon forget. But then, you know what they say about fate. While their one night of bliss was perfect, neither Jessie nor Kai could have imagined what would be in store for them the next time they met, when fate again crossed their paths. As they both soon discovered, sometimes life places obstacles in the way that are insurmountable...even for soul mates.

From the best-selling author of Snow Falling on Cedars--an emotionally charged, provocative new novel about a teenage girl who claims to see the Virgin Mary. Ann Holmes seems an unlikely candidate for revelation. A sixteen-year-old runaway, she is an itinerant mushroom picker who lives in a tent. But on a November afternoon, in the foggy woods of North Fork, Washington, the Virgin comes to her, clear as day. Father Collins--a young priest new to North Fork--finds Ann disturbingly alluring. But it is up to him to evaluate--impartially--the veracity of Ann's sightings: Are they delusions, or a true calling to God? As word spreads and thousands, including the press, converge upon the town, Carolyn Greer, a smart-talking fellow mushroomer, becomes Ann's disciple of sorts, as well as her impromptu publicity manager. And Tom Cross, an embittered logger who's been out of work since his son was paralyzed in a terrible accident, finds in Ann's visions a last chance for redemption for both himself and his son. As Father Collins searches his own soul and Ann's, as Carolyn struggles with her less than admirable intentions, as Tom alternates between despair and hope, Our Lady of the Forest tells a suspenseful, often wryly humorous, and deeply involving story of faith at a contemporary crossroads. From the Hardcover edition.

"Let her prove herself worthy as a man." Newly knighted, Alanna of Trebond seeks adventure in the vast desert of Tortall. Captured by fierce desert dwellers, she is forced to prove herself in a duel to the death -- either she will be killed or she will be inducted into the tribe. Although she triumphs, dire challenges lie ahead. As her mythic fate would have it, Alanna soon becomes the tribe's first female shaman -- despite the desert dwellers' grave fear of the foreign woman warrior. Alanna must fight to change the ancient tribal customs of the desert tribes -- for their sake and for the sake of all Tortall. Alanna's journey continues...

he traditional Regency classic from New York Times bestseller Loretta Chase is back... A Comedy of Manners... Her father's prodigal ways have forced the extremely lovely Alexandra Ashmore into an engagement with a strange man in a strange land: a man blind to the effect her unearthly beauty has on other men, and which has earned her the title "the English Witch"! So when she's kidnapped by another love-struck suitor, Alexandra assumes she's truly doomed to a loveless marriage with her captor. A Villain Redeemed... But her troubles have only begun—for although she's quickly rescued, her brave 'hero' is the notoriously irresistible, unrepentant scoundrel, Basil Trevelyan, who finds himself quite taken with the tart, spirited Alexandra. So taken, in fact, that he's determined to make her his own. Now, if he can only charm her into agreeing with his plan!

"An action packed fantasy sure to please fans of Morgan Rice's previous novels, along with fans of works such as The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini.... Fans of Young Adult Fiction will devour this latest work by Rice and beg for more." --The Wanderer, A Literary Journal (regarding Rise of the Dragons) The #1 Bestselling series, with over 400 five star reviews on Amazon! NIGHT OF THE BOLD is book #6-and the final installment-in Morgan Rice's bestselling epic fantasy series KINGS AND SORCERERS (which begins with RISE OF THE DRAGONS, a free download)! In NIGHT OF THE BOLD, Kyra must find a way to free herself from Marda and return to Escalon with the Staff of Truth. If she does, awaiting her will be the most epic battle of her life, as she will need to face off against Ra's armies, a nation of trolls, and a flock of dragons. If her powers, and the weapon, are strong enough, her mother awaits her, ready to reveal the secrets of her destiny, and of her birth. Duncan must make an epic stand against Ra's armies once and for all. Yet even as he fights the greatest battles of his life, leading to a final stand in The Devil's Gluch, he cannot expect the dark trickery that Ra has awaiting him. In the Bay of Death, Merk and King Tarnis' daughter must join forces with Alec and the warriors of the Lost Isles to fight off the dragons. They must find Duncan and unite to save Escalon, yet Vesuvius has resurfaced, and they cannot anticipate the treachery awaiting them. In the epic finale to Kings and Sorcerers, the most dramatic battles, weapons and sorcery all lead to a breathtaking, unexpected conclusion, filled with both heartbreaking tragedy and inspiring re-birth. With its strong atmosphere and complex characters, NIGHT OF THE BOLD is a sweeping saga of knights and warriors, of kings and lords, of honor and valor, of magic, destiny, monsters and dragons. It is a story of love and broken hearts, of deception, ambition and betrayal. It is fantasy at its finest, inviting us into a world that will live with us forever, one that will appeal to all ages and genders. "If you thought that there was no reason left for living after the end of the Sorcerer's Ring series, you were wrong. Morgan Rice has come up with what promises to be another brilliant series, immersing us in a fantasy of trolls and dragons, of valor, honor, courage, magic and faith in your destiny. Morgan has managed again to produce a strong set of characters that make us cheer for them on every page....Recommended for the permanent library of all readers that love a well-written fantasy." --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (regarding Rise of the Dragons)

Long ago and far away . . . There was a castle. But not just any castle. This was a castle that glittered and sparkled and rose majestically above the banks of the winding Winono River: the Castle Corona. And in this castle lived a family. But not just any family. This was the family of King Guido: rich and royal and . . . spoiled. And King Guido was so spoiled that neither jewels nor gold nor splendid finery could please him, for what he longed for most was . . . a nap and a gown that didn't itch. Far below this grand, glittering castle lived two peasants. But not just any peasants. These peasants, though poor and pitiful, were plucky and proud. And in possession of a stolen pouch. But not just any pouch. A pouch whose very contents had the power to unlock secrets and transform lives . . . And oh, there is an author. But not just any author. Sharon Creech is a Newbery Medal-winning author whose tantalizing tale will not only dazzle and delight but also entertain and excite.

A tour de force of imaginative storytelling from the critically acclaimed author of City of Thieves and The 25th Hour and co-creator of the HBO series* Game of Thrones* In * When the Nines Roll Over , David Benioff (The 25th Hour, City of Thieves*) uses humor and rich characterizations to explore the sometimes thrilling, sometimes pathetic emotional lives of a diverse set of characters. Over the course of eight stories, we are introduced to a host of young people on the cusp of discovery and loss. As he evokes the various states of agony and pleasure--humiliation, rebellion, camaraderie, and desire--Benioff displays a profound understanding of the transformative power of a single moment and how sadness can be illuminated by a humorous flip side. * When the Nines Roll Over * confirms the promise of a gifted writer emerging as a storytelling force.

ARMED FOR DEATH Gil Hamilton was more than an operative for ARM - the elite global police force. He was an essential. His intuition was peerless; his psychic powers were devastating. And his raw courage took him into the depths of inner and outer space where others feared to tread! But Gil Hamilton had enemies. Many enemies. Some were organleggers - those murderous dealers of illicit transplants. Others were just ordinary killers. Around any corner, Gil could probably find someone waiting to kill him. In order to stay alive - and operating - he always had to be armed for death! THREE THRILLING NOVELETTES IN THE FAMED KNOWN SPACE SERIES BY THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF RINGWORLD Contents: · Death by Ecstasy [“The Organleggers”] · na Galaxy Jan ’69 · The Defenseless Dead · nv Ten Tomorrows, ed. Roger Elwood, Fawcett, 1973 · ARM · na Epoch, ed. Roger Elwood & Robert Silverberg, Berkley, 1975 · Afterword: The Last Word About SF! Detectives · aw