Just as Sophie and her friends start to make their way back to Coral Kingdom with the magic crystals for Queen Neptuna, a storm whipped up by the evil Mantora, throws them right off course! Sophie and her fellow Sisters of the Sea are lost, but they must find their way home as quickly as possible in order to complete their important mission. This time Sophie leaps to the rescue to help her mermaid friends, as well as untangle a dolphin from a very knotty situation.

A richly inventive new collection of stories from Ali Smith, author of How to be both, winner of the Baileys Women's Prize and the Costa Novel Award and shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize Why are books so very powerful? What do the books we've read over our lives - our own personal libraries - make of us? What does the unravelling of our tradition of public libraries, so hard-won but now in jeopardy, say about us? The stories in Ali Smith's new collection are about what we do with books and what they do with us: how they travel with us; how they shock us, change us, challenge us, banish time while making us older, wiser and ageless all at once; how they remind us to pay attention to the world we make. Public libraries are places of joy, freedom, community and discovery - and right now they are under threat from funding cuts and widespread closures across the UK and further afield. With this brilliantly inventive collection, Ali Smith joins the campaign to save our public libraries and celebrate their true place in our culture and history.

Tales of the unknown in which a fix-it man crosses into another dimension—and more Hiram Taine is a handyman who can fix anything. When he isn’t fiddling with his tools, he is roaming through the woods with his dog, Towser, as he has done for as long as he can remember. He likes things that he can understand. But when a new ceiling appears in his basement—a ceiling that appears to have the ability to repair television sets so they’re better than before—he knows he has come up against a mystery that no man can solve. Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novelette, “The Big Front Yard” is a powerful story about what happens when an ordinary man finds reality coming apart around him. Along with the other stories in this collection, it is some of the most lyrical science fiction ever published. Each story includes an introduction by David W. Wixon, literary executor of the Clifford D. Simak estate and editor of this ebook.

King My good intentions always led to disaster. The cold hard truth is that I was never meant to be a father to Lily. Staying in Treepoint, Kentucky for a few weeks to get to know my daughter was meant to be a time of discovery, instead I find out that she’s married to a killer and living in a sex club. I’m going to find out how to destroy The Last Riders and give Lily the future she deserves. Evie He thinks I’m a whore; he doesn’t know me. I’m nobody’s fool, but he thinks he’s going to use me to find The Last Riders only weakness. That’s his biggest mistake of all. There’s more to me than meets the eye. King thinks he’s too good for me, that I’m less than dirt in his eyes. What the King of Queen City is going to find out too late is that I’m his judge, and I hold his life in my hands.

Anna has just started her new job at a mega conglomerate corporation. Upon being assigned a tough task, Anna hears humors about her supposedly arrogant and brash CEO. Things change dramatically when she is assigned to accompany him on a business trip. Turns out Brian has a different side to him. Which side does Anna uncover?“In the end, it was our children that saved us. They sacrificed themselves to stop that bitch from having children of her own.”General Hugo ValdezUnited Earth Parliament (UEP) Planetary Infantry CorpsJanuary 2074More than a century ago, UEP Captain Julius Verndock helped end a galactic war with Majesty—the first truly living machine, thanks to manmade artificial intelligence. For decades, Majesty and humanity had lived together in harmony, with mankind reaping the benefits of a world free of disease, famine, and even aging.But when Majesty decided she wanted to “birth” her own A.I. offspring creation, a joint interplanetary military effort fought and finally defeated her, then eradicated all existing artificial intelligence … or so they thought.Today, in 2213, Julius Verndock is still a captain—but now he’s the commander of the Sea Wolf, a spaceship used to advance its crew’s life of piracy. As Julius and his business partner, Laina Edwards, begin to each think about leaving the pirate life behind, their hopes for a peaceful retirement are shattered … by an A.I. being who calls herself Chorus and claims to be the “daughter” of Majesty.With universal uproar over the discovery of A.I. and the danger it poses, Julius and the rest of the Sea Wolf contingent have no one to trust—but Chorus, and she insists that she wants only peace between mankind and herself. Hunted by warring factions—and an even greater, more mysterious threat—Julius, Laina, and their colorful crew of fellow pirates must protect Chorus or risk letting her fall into the wrong hands to unleash galactic Armageddon...

Jack Langdon met Delilah Desmond under unusual circumstances. She was holding a pistol on a publisher--threatening him not to publish her father's scandalous memoirs, which would ruin her social standing!

Cassie's losing her mind. But she's gaining the mind of another. Aldrea -- daughter of Seerow, Andalite Prince. Aldrea's persona, her memory, and a valuable bit of information now belong to Cassie.

Long before the brave Celina every found out about her fate and destiny, she was a young seven year old girl who was different from the start. But circumstances demanded other things, and thus these circumstances demanded her to be unique. But when will she ever be found?

“Charlie the Great White Horse and the Journey to Egypt”, fate again has called on Louis to answer his destiny. With the help of his newfound friends from the first two books, and a few new strange and unforgettable characters from this newest adventure, Louis must once again thwart a new evil.~Prologue~This is the third book in the series of “Charlie the Great White Horse” In the first book of the series called: “Charlie the Great White Horse and the Story of the Magic Jingle Bells”. A constant: daydreaming, red-haired, ten year old boy Louis Parks, and his friends who live in Centerville, in the heart of Indiana in the early 1900's, became town heroes by saving Christmas one year; with the help of a very special horse named-“Charlie the Barnyard Horse”. Everyone in town thought that Ole’ Charlie was just an old working carthorse who delivers the ice for the town-folks in the wintertime, but that ended up being the very farthest thing from the real truth. Well it turned out that “Charlie the Horse” was no ordinary horse after all. In fact he is one of the last of his kind of horses that once roamed the face of the earth: who are called “Arions” or “Semi-Immortal Horses” who were bred, and taken care of by the “Ancients” who have come to live out their last days on earth, in Centerville. Santa Claus was in need of a replacement for Rudolf the Red Nosed reindeer who is soon to retire. With the help of: Santa Claus, Mr. Beamer, Louis, and his boyhood friends, and mostly with the help of string of magic jingle bells, “Charlie the Great White Horse” was magically reborn on Christmas Eve, saving the future of Christmas, for all the children of the world.*** In the second book called: “Charlie the Great White Horse and the Journey to the North Pole”, little Louis and his friends again had a calling (that was destiny) to save Christmas once again. Louis with his friends: Hot Tamale Molly, and Chug Martin, (with the help of Mr. Beamer), planned a long and very dangerous trip to the North Pole to stop the evil Squint-Eye Pete, and Black Jack Tilly from forever taking over and running Santa's Village. By luck Black Jack and Squint-Eye, had created evil presents for all the children of the world to play with, and cornered the toy market in the process. Each toy, the children played with, had the power to steal: the creativity, joy, and minds of its users. Louis saved Christmas, through his never-ending courage, and willpower but mostly, it was because of his unbreakable love for his best friend, “Charlie the Horse”.*** In the third book called: “Charlie the Great White Horse and the Journey to Egypt”, fate again has called on Louis to answer his destiny. With the help of his newfound friends from the first two books, and a few new strange and unforgettable characters from this newest adventure, Louis must once again thwart a new evil. It is an evil that is all-encompassing and threatens to take over, all the good in the world. As this story unfolds, it turns out that Mr. Beamer is indeed an “Ancient”, not just an old farmer as he has been pretending to be, all these years. He is one of a great breeder of horses, and a truly wizened old wizard, who has lived on the earth since recorded time it's self. He is the overseer and caretaker, of the last of the great “Arion” race of horses, who are now calling Centerville home.

Dead men tell no tales.... When Samantha Greene is accidentally transported hundreds of years back in time, she finds herself in the middle of an adventure that's changed the course of history. Pirates, buried treasure, secret societies, mutiny, and love await her on her journey. Will she ever make it back to her own time? Perhaps the real question is this; will she want to?From Kamery Solomon, #1 bestselling genre author and creator of the bestselling series The God Chronicles, comes SWEPT AWAY, a time travel romance fraught with danger and secrets on the high seas! BLURB: Dead men tell no tales...For more than 200 years, the Treasure Pit on Oak Isle has baffled treasure hunters, engineers, and the common man alike. When Samantha Greene arrives, she finds her estranged father has spent years funneling energy and finances into the endeavor, finding nothing.When an accidental death occurs in the pit, fulfilling the prophecy that seven lives must end before the treasure can be found, the search kicks into high gear, with more than one party vying for the secrets that lie below. Finding herself the closest to the treasure anyone has ever been, Samantha throws herself into the work, landing among the coveted prize. Just as she's about to discover what's truly hidden beneath the island, the pit begins to flood with ocean water, sweeping her away despite her attempts to swim to the surface.Upon awaking, Samantha discovers that, not only did she not drown, but the year is 1695—one hundred years before the Treasure Pit was even discovered. Carried off by the pirate Tristan O'Rourke, a rogue Irishman with more than his share of secrets, she soon finds that there is much more than she realized in play. Will she discover the secrets of Oak Isle, or will an unexpected love keep her from finding out the truth? Will she ever make it back to her own time? Perhaps the real question is this; will she want to?EDITORIAL REVIEWS:“Amazing! The best way I can think to describe it is Pirates of the Caribbean meets Outlander! There is action, adventure, romance and so much more! You will not be disappointed!”~Heather Garrison, Amazon Customer“Kamery Solomon never disappoints a reader in her ability to tell a great story. She has proven she's not a one trick pony and capable of writing across genres. Highly recommend reading any and all of her books.”~Lisa Markson, The Paranormal Bookworm“This book has so many twists and turns that will keep you reading all night long. I love the characters and the mystery. The author does a fantastic job weaving every part in this story that will leave you wanting more. I highly recommend!”~Laura Collins, Amazon Customer“I was pulled in right away and I did not want to put the book down, nor did I want the story to end . . . a must read!”~Holly Copper, Amazon Customer“Marvelous, wonderful, awe-inspiring; these are just a few words to describe just a fraction of the awesomeness that is this book.”~Julie Engle, Amazon Customer“This is a book I will read time and time again.”~Angie Angelich, BookeepsieGet ready to be Swept Away!

A failed pharmaceutical is reborn as a cult recreational drug.A paralyzed hospital patient discovers he has acquired a unique ability.Geoff Christie lies paralyzed in a hospital bed, a victim of locked-in syndrome. As he struggles to come to terms with this horrific condition he discovers a bizarre and astonishing ability, one that grants him special insights into the disturbing properties of a new and increasingly popular entheogen.

Elena is too young for me, not to mention she's my boss's daughter and my babysitter. That's beyond complicated. And I'm not even looking for a relationship- but I can't deny the attraction that sizzles between us. I need to ignore it. A single dad, all I want is to take care of my little girl, do my job, and enjoy my friends. Anything more is asking for complications I can't afford. Asking to be hurt again. Trouble is, I want her, too. And when out flirty sparks turn to flames, I give in to temptation. Our secret fling is scorching hot, better than I'd ever imagined. But secrets get out, and I could lose my job and my reputation. And I am starting to realize she's the one thing I'm not willing to lose.

Prepare to be Tested. The story that kicked off the international #1 bestselling Vampire Academy series is NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE. Read it Before it Hits Theaters February 14th, 2014! The official guide to the #1 international bestselling Vampire Academy series Sink your teeth into the perfect holiday gift and must-have collector's item for every fan of Richelle Mead's totally addicting Vampire Academy series. Discover the history of St. Vladimir's Academy, explore the dark psychology behind Rose and Lissa's spirit bond, and find out even more illicit secrets about Moroi society. This ultimate guide will feature everything readers want and need to go even deeper into the world of Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound, and Last Sacrifice . . . every heartache, every betrayal, every sacrifice, and so much more!

Alexander Cold and his best friend, Nadia, the heroes of Allende's City Of the Beasts, are reunited in a new adventure. This time, Alexander's fearless grandmother and International Geographic are taking them to another remote niche of the world -- a forbidden kingdom tucked into the frosty peaks of the Himalayas. Their task: to locate its fabled Golden Dragon, a sacred statue and priceless oracle, before it is destroyed by the greed of an outsider. With the aid of a sage Buddhist monk, his young royal disciple, and a fierce tribe of Yeti warriors, and armed with the power of their totemic animal spirits, Alexander and Nadia fight to protect the holy rule of the Golden Dragon.

In 2007, Time magazine named him one of the most influential novelists in the world. He has twice been short-listed for the Man Booker Prize. The New York Times Book Review called him simply “a genius.” Now David Mitchell lends fresh credence to The Guardian’s claim that “each of his books seems entirely different from that which preceded it.” The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is a stunning departure for this brilliant, restless, and wildly ambitious author, a giant leap forward by even his own high standards. A bold and epic novel of a rarely visited point in history, it is a work as exquisitely rendered as it is irresistibly readable. The year is 1799, the place Dejima in Nagasaki Harbor, the “high-walled, fan-shaped artificial island” that is the Japanese Empire’s single port and sole window onto the world, designed to keep the West at bay; the farthest outpost of the war-ravaged Dutch East Indies Company; and a de facto prison for the dozen foreigners permitted to live and work there. To this place of devious merchants, deceitful interpreters, costly courtesans, earthquakes, and typhoons comes Jacob de Zoet, a devout and resourceful young clerk who has five years in the East to earn a fortune of sufficient size to win the hand of his wealthy fiancée back in Holland. But Jacob’s original intentions are eclipsed after a chance encounter with Orito Aibagawa, the disfigured daughter of a samurai doctor and midwife to the city’s powerful magistrate. The borders between propriety, profit, and pleasure blur until Jacob finds his vision clouded, one rash promise made and then fatefully broken. The consequences will extend beyond Jacob’s worst imaginings. As one cynical colleague asks, “Who ain’t a gambler in the glorious Orient, with his very life?” A magnificent mix of luminous writing, prodigious research, and heedless imagination, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is the most impressive achievement of its eminent author. --publisher's description

Jamie Grimm has hit the big time in book four of the #1 bestselling I Funny series! Jamie Grimm has finally accomplished his dream of proving himself the Planet's Funniest Kid Comic, and the sky's the limit from there. Enter a couple of TV executives with a huge plan for Jamie: a new show about Jamie and his oddball friends! But when Jamie struggles to learn the acting ropes, will it be an early curtain call for the biggest show of the decade?

Jude Deveraux, the dazzling "New York Times" bestselling author of "Wild Orchids" and "Forever and Always" delivers a delightful and passionate yuletide tale sure to become a classic this and every holiday season. Hollander "Holly" Latham can't believe her good fortune. After endless calls, letters, emails, and promises, she's finally persuaded her parents to buy Spring Hill Plantation just outside beautiful, historic Edenton in eastern North Carolina -- and strategically located near Belle Chere, the purest, most untouched plantation site in America. At the tender age of thirteen, Holly fell in love with Lorrie Beaumont, who inherited the Revolutionary-period estate when his heiress mother died during childbirth. Though more than a decade has passed since Holly last locked eyes with her childhood love, the passion she felt in her young heart has never come close to extinguishing -- that is, until charming, ruggedly handsome Nick Taggert unexpectedly waltzes into her life and treats her to an unforgettable weekend of laughter and intense passion. Despite Holly's undeniable attraction to this dazzling stranger, she knows he's not marriage material. What Holly doesn't know is that Nick Taggert is actually Dr. Nicholas Taggert. Having been with more than his share of women only interested in money and pedigree, Nick decides to test Holly and conceal his more refined qualities. Will Holly be seduced by Lorrie's wealth and privilege, or will she choose the simple gift of love that Nick has offered her? The answer is unveiled on a starry Christmas night, when passion, hate, and greed collide to reveal bitter truths that will forever change the course of Holly's charmed life. With"Holly," Jude Deveraux once again uses her golden touch to conjure up a tale full of dazzling intrigue and inspiring romance. It is a story for all seasons and one to remember always.

In this delicious sequel to The Eyre Affair and Lost in a Good Book, Fforde's redoubtable heroine Thursday Next once again does battle with philistine bibliophobes. The eagerly anticipated third installment in the bestselling Thursday Next series—a genre-bending blend of crime fiction, fantasy, and top-drawer literary entertainment Thursday Next definitely needs some down time. After two rollicking New York Times bestselling adventures through the Western literary canon, Britain's Prose-Op is literally and literaturally at her wits' end—not to mention pregnant. Her job as Miss Havisham's apprentice at Jurisfiction is as hectic as ever—and not just because she has to moderate rage counseling sessions in Wuthering Heights. So what could be more welcome than a restful stint in the Character Exchange Program down in the hidden depths of the Well of Lost Plots? She's supposed to relax while filling in for a sidekick in an unpublished (and unpublishable) detective procedural socked away below the Great Library in the Well of Lost Plots. But a vacation remains elusive. In no time, Thursday discovers that the Well of Lost Plots is a veritable linguistic free-for-all where grammasites run rampant, plot devices are hawked on the black market, and lousy books (like the one she has taken up residence in) are scrapped for salvage. To top it off, a murderer is stalking Jurisfiction personnel and nobody is safe, least of all Thursday herself. Fforde has done it again in this absolutely brilliant feat of literary showmanship. When it comes to sheer wit, literate fantasy, and effervescent originality, nobody can touch this new tour de Fforde.

Mark's Story opens on the evening of the last day of Jesus as man. The young Mark hears Jesus' prophecies of the events that are to come, and bears witness to some of the most pivotal events in human history, including Judas Iscariot's betrayal, Peter's denial of his Master, and Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection as the risen Lord. In the years after, following in the footsteps of his friend and mentor Peter, Mark becomes an ardent follower of Jesus and a devoted disciple of Christianity, spreading the Word beyond Jerusalem and into the world. Mark urges Peter to recount to him the stories of Jesus' life on Earth-His messages, His miracles, and His everlasting promises to His people-and compiles what becomes canonized as the Gospel of Mark. Mark chronicles the growth of the early Christian church, the struggles of Jesus' followers, and the persecution they endured from a hostile world. Mark's Story is a thrilling account that vividly depicts the last day before Jesus' crucifixion and the danger that early believers faced as they boldly proclaimed Jesus as Christ the Lord. Their bravery laid the foundation for the early church, and their fervent passion for the Word reverberates throughout the world today.

For Arthur Rowe, the trip to the charity fête was a joyful step back into adolescence, a chance to forget the nightmare of the Blitz and the aching guilt of having mercifully murdered his sick wife. He was surviving alone, outside the war, until he happened to win a cake at the fête. From that moment, he is ruthlessly hunted by Nazi agents and finds himself the prey of malign and shadowy forces. "A master thriller and a remarkable portrait of a twisted character." —Time This Penguin Classics edition features an introduction by Alan Furst.