DECEMBER WITHOUT DISASTER

      Christopher Ebiala, Sr
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Every piece of work published has a particular message to pass across to the public “DECEMBER WITHOUT DISASTER, HOW TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT CRISIS”, is a piece written to fore-arm all and sundry against the crises associated with December and its celebrations. Presented in simple language and with practical lesson, the book is relevant to all and for all times but most particularly in viewDecember, the last month of the year is a very important month in the calendar year, it is a unique month because of the celebration of Christmas, which mark the birthday of Jesus Christ. It is a month characterized with so many activities, such as harvesting of crops, harvests thanksgiving and bazaar for funds raising to support the church, buying and selling of goods and services, balancing of account, marriage ceremonies, birthday ceremonies, etc. it is remarkable a month for which people travel from place to place in preparation for the CHRISTMAS celebration, many churches and other organization do organize conferences, revivals, crusades, and retreats during this month of December, which it the time of preparation and great expectation.Finally, comes the Christmas celebration, which is paramount among all. At the mention of the month-December, what comes to the mind of everybody is Christmas. Price of goods and services rise higher than necessary. This makes things difficult for the less privilege one in the society, such that some people say that Christmas is not for the poor.However, we thank God for some philanthropists in our society who are helping the poor. Through Christmas season is the time of giving and receiving, but people give with different intentions. Some give because of what they can get in return from the recipient. But some give because they want to give, and they know that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Some children during this season form the habit of begging even from strangers, which may be detrimental to them as no one knows “who is who”. These strangers may be ritualists or kidnappers who use money or other gifts as baits to catch the children. This bad attitude which some children see as fashionable may be caused by parental irresponsibility or by the greed or the children. Whatever be the cause, parents should try to give their children proper home training in order to avoid future regret. As the saying goes “doing the right thing today means no regret tomorrow”.I hereby enjoin all parents and guidance to read proverbs (22:6), which says, “teach a child how he should live, and he will remember it all his life”.Immediately after Christmas comes, Boxing Day, this is a special day that employers present gifts in boxes to their employees. Masters also present gifts in boxes to their servants on this day.After the Boxing Day comes the Holy family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, which is celebrated the Sunday after Christmas. On this day couples renew their marital vows and exchange gifts to each other. Parents are also reminded of their parental responsibilities, which is the only debt they owe to their children. Children are also reminded of their obedience to their parents, which is the only debt they owe to them.Husbands are reminded to show love and honour their wives. Wives are also reminded to submit completely to their husbands. (Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-4)Finally, comes the new year, which is celebrated every 1st day of January. On this day the church honours and celebrates the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.The unfortunate thing about all these celebrations is the “get rich quick” syndrome, which has become the order of the day. This leads to all kinds of crimes such as artificial scarcity of commodities and skyrocketing rise of prices, armed robbery, ritual killing, and prostitution in which young women sell their bodies in order to buy the latest wear in town just to show up!As women use their bodies as baits to catch men, so do men use their money to catch women, like every other seasons though more obvious this season, not minding the consequences that follow.Now for us to celebrate all the ceremonies and pass through December without disaster and have a crisis free Christmas, we must be prayerful in everything we do, and do all to the glory of God. We must also apply moderation in everything we do, knowing that God requires moderation in everything about life.

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    The Silence That Speaks

      Andrea Kane
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WHO WANTS MADELINE WESTFIELD DEAD? AND WHY? Forensic Instincts' first order of business is to find out who's targeting their client. Under the leadership of Casey Woods, the investigative team has the resources to do just that, working inside the law—and outside it. FI's strength is its members, among them Casey's associate Marc Devereaux, former navy SEAL and a man who's equal to any situation. Except maybe this one… Madeline's case hits too close to home for Marc. She's the only woman he ever loved, and she's his only weakness. Now a nurse at Manhattan Memorial, she's terrified because someone is trying to kill her. So she turns, reluctantly, to Marc and FI for help and protection. Meanwhile, Manhattan Memorial is in turmoil. With a merger in the works, the staff is still haunted by their hospital administrator's sudden death—during heart surgery performed by Madeline's ex-husband, Conrad. A surgery at which Madeline was present. The killer seems to blame both Madeline and Conrad… With a growing list of suspects—including the grieving widow and a string of scorned lovers—Forensic Instincts will have to figure out who has the greatest incentive to get rid of Madeline. And FI has to work fast to save her…before she's permanently silenced.

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    Guardian Angel

      Julie Garwood
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An alternate cover edition can be found /show/29008362-guardian-angel">here The Emerald flew across the seas, carrying the pirate Pagan -- despised by the ton, whose riches he plundered, and beloved by the poor, whose plight was eased by his gifts. The Marquess of Cainewood vows to hunt down the pirate wretch in revenge for his brother's death. But when Jade, an enchanting vision of rippling red hair and eyes of jewel-green, appears at his door to beg desperately for his protection, the Marquess agrees to keep her safe from the villains who want her dead. Jade is infuriating, exasperating, and gorgeous; Caine is noble, strong-willed, and powerful. No woman has ever befuddled him so, nor so deeply aroused his desire. But as Jade answers his knowing caresses with an innocent, wild abandon, they are drawn into a web of treachery that will test the very heart of their love!

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    The Urban Fantasy Anthology

      Peter S. Beagle
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Star-studded and comprehensive, this imaginative anthology brings a myriad of modern fantasy voices under one roof. Previously difficult for readers to discover in its new modes, urban fantasy is represented here in all three of its distinct styles—playful new mythologies, sexy paranormal romances, and gritty urban noir. Whether they feature tattooed demon-hunters, angst-ridden vampires, supernatural gumshoes, or pixelated pixies, these authors—including Patricia Briggs, Neil Gaiman, and Charles de Lint—mash-up traditional fare with pop culture, creating iconic characters, conflicted moralities, and complex settings. The result is starkly original fiction that has broad-based appeal and is immensely entertaining. Contents Introduction by Peter S. Beagle Mythic Fiction Introduction: “A Personal Journey Into Mythic Fiction” by Charles de Lint “A Bird That Whistles” by Emma Bull “Make a Joyful Noise” by Charles de Lint “The Goldfish Pool and Other Stories” by Neil Gaiman “On the Road to New Egypt” by Jeffrey Ford “Julie’s Unicorn” by Peter S. Beagle Paranormal Romance Introduction: “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Urban Fantasy” by Paula Guran “Companions to the Moon” by Charles de Lint “A Haunted House of Her Own” by Kelley Armstrong “She’s My Witch” by Norman Partridge “Kitty’s Zombie New Year” by Carrie Vaughn “Seeing Eye” by Patricia Briggs “Hit” by Bruce McAllister “Boobs” by Suzy McKee Charnas “Farewell, My Zombie” by Francesca Lia Block Noir Fantasy Introduction: “We Are Not a Club, but We Sometimes Share a Room” by Joe R. Lansdale “The White Man” by Thomas M. Disch “Gestella” by Susan Palwick “The Coldest Girl in Coldtown” by Holly Black “Talking Back to the Moon” by Steven R. Boyett “On the Far Side of the Cadillac Desert With Dead Folks” by Joe R. Lansdale “The Bible Repairman” by Tim Powers “Father Dear” by Al Sarrantonio

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    Light on Snow

      Anita Shreve
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What makes a family? That's what twelve-year-old Nicky Dillon wonders after she and her widowed father discover a wailing, abandoned baby in the snow-filled woods near their New Hampshire home. Through the days that follow, the Dillons face a thicket of decisions, each seeming to carry equal possibilities of heartbreak or redemption. Writing with all the emotional richness that has drawn millions of readers around the world to her fiction, Anita Shreve unfolds in Light on Snow a tender and surprising novel about love and its consequences.

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    Fiendish

      Brenna Yovanoff
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Clementine DeVore spent ten years trapped in a cellar, pinned down by willow roots, silenced and forgotten. Now she’s out and determined to uncover who put her in that cellar and why. When Clementine was a child, dangerous and inexplicable things started happening in New South Bend. The townsfolk blamed the fiendish people out in the Willows and burned their homes to the ground. But magic kept Clementine alive, walled up in the cellar for ten years, until a boy named Fisher sets her free. Back in the world, Clementine sets out to discover what happened all those years ago. But the truth gets muddled in her dangerous attraction to Fisher, the politics of New South Bend, and the Hollow, a fickle and terrifying place that seems increasingly temperamental ever since Clementine reemerged.

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    Darkwitch Rising

      Sara Douglass
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Darkwitch Rising is the third title in Sara Douglass's compelling Troy Game series, a riveting historical fantasy series of love and revenge set against the very fabric of time itself. Britian. An ancient land. Most think they know its history. But few suspect and fewer still know the truth. For back in the mists of time came Brutus, last of the Trojan kings, who was armed with the knowledge of how to construct a magical Labyrinth that could rival the might of the gods. He was drawn to this place by the alluring sorceress Genvissa and together they almost succeeded in creating the Labyrinth. But in the end they were thwarted by Brutus's wife Cornelia, who understood the danger to the land. Her actions however trapped them all into a endless cycle of death and rebirth until the magic of the Labyrinth is completed. Ages pass. Time and again the players have come close to victory but each time there is a new wrinkle to stay the fulfillment of power. The Now that these soul travelers arrive in is a most unique one. The English are at war, not with a foreign power but amongst themselves; a mighty Civil War that threatens to destroy a nation. A great pestilence is upon the land and the newly restored Charles II sits upon the throne trying to hold chaos at bay...and he is one of the major players in this drama. And he is not alone.

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    Eleven

      Patricia Reilly Giff
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Sam is almost 11 when he discovers a locked box in the attic above his grandfather Mack’s room, and a piece of paper that says he was kidnapped. There are lots of other words, but Sam has always had trouble reading. He’s desperate to find out who he is, and if his beloved Mack is really his grandfather. At night he’s haunted by dreams of a big castle and a terrifying escape on a boat. Who can he trust to help him read the documents that could unravel the mystery? Then he and the new girl, Caroline, are paired up to work on a school project, building a castle in Mack’s woodworking shop. Caroline loves to read, and she can help. But she’s moving soon, and the two must hurry to discover the truth about Sam. From the Hardcover edition.

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    The Big Bad Wolf

      Jus Accardo
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Kensey Deaton comes from an elite werewolf lineage, but just because her family is royalty, doesn't mean she'll fall in line like some perfect little princess. She has plans and they don't include an arranged marriage! Slade McAlister has his own family drama. His Alpha father happens to be the most reviled wolf on the eastern seaboard, and it's a stigma he can't escape. So when his neighbor Kensey--the girl of his dreams and his nightmares--proposes a solution to solve both of their problems, he sees an opportunity he can’t ignore. Kensey and Slade aren't only from opposite sides of the tracks, they're from opposite sides of the war. But if they can sell their 'relationship', they might just make it out of this with their freedom. You know, as long as all that fake PDA doesn't turn into more...

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    A History of Glitter and Blood

      Hannah Moskowitz
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Sixteen-year-old Beckan and her friends are the only fairies brave enough to stay in Ferrum when war breaks out. Now there is tension between the immortal fairies, the subterranean gnomes, and the mysterious tightropers who arrived to liberate the fairies. But when Beckan's clan is forced to venture into the gnome underworld to survive, they find themselves tentatively forming unlikely friendships and making sacrifices they couldn't have imagined. As danger mounts, Beckan finds herself caught between her loyalty to her friends, her desire for peace, and a love she never expected. This stunning, lyrical fantasy is a powerful exploration of what makes a family, what justifies a war, and what it means to truly love.

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    Craving Hawk

      Nicole Jacquelyn
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Tommy Hawthorne thought Heather Collins was sexy. It didn’t matter what color her hair was or how many piercings she added to her face. She just did it for him. Unfortunately, when they were kids she only had eyes for his baby brother, and when Mick died, Tommy lost all contact with Heather. A few years later, they’re thrown together when the Aces and Eights Motorcycle Club goes on lockdown. Tommy isn’t the cocky boy Heather remembered. He’s angry with the world, and he can’t seem to harness his rage or the nightmares that wake him up in a cold sweat every night. But one thing hasn’t changed. He still wants Heather.

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    Hard to Let Go

      Laura Kaye
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Five dishonored soldiers.Former Special Forces.One last mission.These are the men of Hard Ink. Beckett Murda hates to dwell on the past. But his investigation into the ambush that killed half his Special Forces team and ended his Army career gives him little choice. Just when his team learns how powerful their enemies are, hard-ass Beckett encounters his biggest complication yet--a seductive, feisty Katherine Rixey. A tough, stubborn prosecutor, Kat visits her brothers' Hard Ink Tattoo shop following a bad break-up--and finds herself staring down the barrel of a stranger's gun. Beckett is hard-bodied and sexy as hell, but he's also the most infuriating man ever. Worse, Kat's brothers are at war with the criminals her office is investigating. When Kat joins the fight, she lands straight in Beckett's sights... and in his arms. Not to mention their enemies' crosshairs. Now Beckett and Kat must set aside their differences to work together, because the only thing sweeter than justice is finding love and never letting go.

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    Wish Upon a Sleepover

      Suzanne Selfors
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Five misfits. One magical wish. Bestselling author Suzanne Selfors brings heart and humor to this middle grade novel about a group of misfits who find true friendship where they least expect it.Leilani dreams of being friends with the most popular girls in her class—the Haileys—who are always throwing awesome themed sleepovers. She devises a master plan: throw her own sleepover of the century and invite them!When Tutu, her grandmother, accidentally mails Leilani's invitations to the DO NOT INVITE list, the best sleepover in the history of the world becomes the worst. Instead of the Haileys, the only guests are the three kids Leilani definitely did not want to show up: the neighbor who never speaks, the girl who draws mean pictures of her, and her farting older cousin. At least her best friend August will be there. Leilani and her guests decide to make Tutu's recipe for Sleepover Soup, which requires each of them to collect one...

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    Departure

      A. G. Riddle
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The world's past and future rests in the hands of five unwitting strangers in this time-traveling, mind-bending speculative thriller from the author of the bestselling Origin Mystery trilogyEn route to London from New York, Flight 305 suddenly loses power and crash-lands in the English countryside, plunging a group of strangers into a mysterious adventure that will have repercussions for all of humankind.Struggling to stay alive, the survivors soon realize that the world they've crashed in is very different from the one they left. But where are they? Why are they here? And how will they get back home? Five passengers seem to hold clues about what's really going on: writer Harper Lane, venture capitalist Nick Stone, German genetic researcher Sabrina Schröder, computer scientist Yul Tan, and Grayson Shaw, the son of a billionaire philanthropist.As more facts about the crash emerge, it becomes clear that some in this group know more than they're...

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    The Mind Parasites

      Colin Wilson
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Wilson has blended H.P. Lovecraft's dark vision with his own revolutionary philosophy and unique narrative powers to produce a stunning, high-tension story of vaulting imagination. A professor makes a horrifying discovery while excavating a sinister archaeological site. For over 200 years, mind parasites have been lurking in the deepest layers of human consciousness, feeding on human life force and steadily gaining a foothold on the planet. Now they threaten humanity's extinction. They can be fought with one weapon only: the mind, pushed to--and beyond--its limits. Pushed so far that humans can read each other's thoughts, that the moon can be shifted from its orbit by thought alone. Pushed so that man can at last join battle with the loathsome parasites on equal terms.

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    Dreaming of Zhou Gong

      Traci Harding
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Set in ancient China, DREAMING OF ZHOU GONG is a beautiful story of Hudan, one of the mysterious Wu who lives on the sacred mountain of Li Shan. The Wu have been living in isolation for decades while the Shang Emperor and his enchantress have ruled the land. It has been a terrible time for the common people and the noble Ji brothers are keen to bring the emperor′s arrogant bloodthirsty reign to an end. They believe an ancient prophecy has predicted the fall of the Shang emperor and they are keen to enact it, but first they must journey to the mountain and seek out the Wu.When the Ji brothers join forces with the beautiful, enigmatic Hudan and her equally mysterious tiger sister, they begin a powerful journey of love and adventure.But the Shang emperor is not their greatest threat. There is a dark curse that has plagued the rulers of the land for generations. And the mysterious Sons of the Sky who visit Hudan in her dreams have a plan to destroy it. Can Hudan trust them?DREAMING OF ZHOU GONG is a beautitful, evocative journey through ancient China.

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    Felony

      James Causey
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Felony is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by James Causey is in the English language, and may not include graphics or images from the original edition. If you enjoy the works of James Causey then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection.

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