In 1953, Penny is just another washed-up, wannabe Hollywood actress who is past her prime. She has settled in to a quiet lifestyle, and when she finds a low-rent bungalow in Canyon Arms, it's a dream come true; Penny takes to the place instantly. But the dream cottage with its French doors and tiled courtyard may not be as perfect as it seems. Penny's new neighbors start filling her head with stories about past tenants, whispering voices, and a suicide that may not have been a suicide at all. Soon enough, Penny starts hearing strange noises and she can't help but wonder about the true fate of the bookseller who died in her home a dozen years earlier. Her suspicions are only fueled by the ominous inscription that she discovers in a book that's closely guarded by her landlord. . . .

Amazon.com ReviewIt speaks to the failure of medieval Europe, writes popular historian William Manchester, that "in the year 1500, after a thousand years of neglect, the roads built by the Romans were still the best on the continent." European powers were so absorbed in destroying each other and in suppressing peasant revolts and religious reform that they never quite got around to realizing the possibilities of contemporary innovations in public health, civil engineering, and other peaceful pursuits. Instead, they waged war in faraway lands, created and lost fortunes, and squandered millions of lives. For all the wastefulness of medieval societies, however, Manchester notes, the era created the foundation for the extraordinary creative explosion of the Renaissance. Drawing on a cast of characters numbering in the hundreds, Manchester does a solid job of reconstructing the medieval world, although some scholars may disagree with his interpretations. From Publishers WeeklyUsing only secondary sources, Manchester plunges readers into the medieval mind-set in a captivating, marvelously vivid popular history that humanizes the tumultuous span from the Dark Ages to the dawn of the Renaissance. He delineates an age when invisible spirits infested the air, when tolerance was seen as treachery and "a mafia of profane popes desecrated Christianity." Besides re-creating the arduous lives of ordinary people, the Wesleyan professor of history peoples his tapestry with such figures as Leonardo, Machiavelli, Lucrezia Borgia, Erasmus, Luther, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Manchester ( The Arms of Krupp ) devotes much attention to Magellan, whose globe-straddling voyage shattered Christendom's implicit belief in Europe as the center of the universe. His portrayal of the Middle Ages as a time when the strong and the shrewd flourished, while the imaginative, the cerebral and the unfortunate suffered, rings true. Illustrations. Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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PETITIONS: A short story about a homeless man (contemporary fiction). ANGEL’S SONG: A companion short story to the novel “The Thorn”, book one of “The Chronicles of Gan” (speculative fiction). WATER: Based on the account found in the Gospel of John, chapter 5, verses 1-16, and the painting by Carl Bloch, “Healing at the Pool of Bethesda” (historical fiction).Winner of the SILVER MEDAL in the 2014 Readers' Favorite annual International Award Contest—Category YA Paranormal Romance. Ever since she can remember, Sonia has had to abide by her parents' ridiculously unfair rules like not being allowed to date or even kiss a guy. The only reason she thinks she's being held to these rules is when Sonia was eight, she took a sip of her friend’s drink, causing her friend to do everything Sonia asked. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, Sonia is finally about to learn why; she's a Huldra, a dangerous, yet seductive and magical Norse forest maiden who with just one kiss, has the ability to control humans and appropriate parts of their souls. Keeping the rules hasn't been a problem for Sonia because she's never really been attracted to any guy. But when Anthony transfers to her school, every last rule flies out the window. There's just something about Anthony that she can't resist—the way he seems to be hiding a deep, dark secret that is connected to her, the way his mysterious blue eyes cause her heart to beat more rapidly, his athletic, god-like physique. The closer she gets to her eighteenth birthday—the moment she matures into a fully realized Huldra—the more she finds herself obsessing about him. As graduation day approaches, Anthony starts to show interest in her, but she would never have guessed how life-changing and how dangerous Anthony's secrets are, and how overwhelmingly intense a relationship with him could be. Suspenseful, passionate and gripping, E. J. Squires’s contemporary paranormal YA romance brings you on a highly entertaining adventure that you will want to continue on forever

The once lost work of Jack Kerouac is published in full for the first time.

A woman joins a cult and almost loses her husband over it as she learns what this marriage vow means. She is desperate and fearful as she attempts to reclaim her marriage to the man that she loves.**Please review this book**The people of Hamelin have a problem with rats. There are rats in their houses, their stores—even swimming in their stew! The rats don’t think they’re a problem. They just want to live their lives in peace. With the town’s approval, the mayor thinks of a clever way to solve the problem. He offers twenty gold pieces to a piper to rid the town of rats. He delivers only five.But he’s cheated the wrong piper, who’ll have to use both skill and wit to teach this town a lesson. Because there’s more than money at stake. An evil pattern is emerging in the way Hamelin treats any creature it considers inferior. And the Piper vows to put an end to it—once and for all.Think you know everything about this classic folktale of greed and cunning? In “Paying Piper,” you’ll learn what really happened the day a magical musician came to Hamelin—and why. Fans of fairy tales with a twist will delight in this tricky, witty middle-grade short story. (And if you’re a parent or teacher, stay tuned for bonus discussion questions at the end!)“Paying Piper” is approximately 5,000 words, or about twenty pages.

For years Martin has biked into the coastal hills to bask in solitude beside a remote pond. When a strange woman begins to visit 'his' refuge, Martin tries to scare her away ... but takes matters a step too far.For years Martin has biked into the coastal hills to bask in solitude beside a remote pond. When a strange woman begins to visit 'his' refuge, Martin tries to scare her away ... but takes matters a step too far. "Martin's Pond" was first published in the literary magazine Five Fingers Review, issue #20, in Spring 2003.

While known primarily for his translations from Russian, Andrey Kneller has also written a great deal of his own poetry. He was born and grew up in Moscow, Russia. In 1993, when he was ten, his family immigrated to United States. He has been writing and translating poetry since the age of fourteen. His work has appeared in a number of literary magazines and journals, including National Forum, GentWhile known primarily for his translations from Russian, Andrey Kneller has also written a great deal of his own poetry. He was born and grew up in Moscow, Russia. In 1993, when he was ten, his family immigrated to United States. He has been writing and translating poetry since the age of fourteen. His work has appeared in a number of literary magazines and journals, including National Forum, Gentle Reader, Unlikely Stories, and the Hypertexts. This book is a complete collection of his poetry from 1999 to the present day.

Marriage is the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. It is about two people who love each other but it is more than that. This book covers the argument and ten reasons why traditional marriage should be defended.They won't stay dead .... Who will survive the encounter? Jesse and Willy are violent people, criminals who drift from city to city, one step ahead of disaster. Jesse has a dream reminding her of a boy who once fell in love with her, a boy named Tom whose family was wealthy and generous, living a carefree lifestyle. Jesse persuades Willy to drive her to Tom's hometown with the last of their money. She is convinced the images in her head mean something and their luck will change. Willy could not care less one way or the other. They have no idea what they are getting themselves into. Tom has gone from being a shy, but beautiful boy to becoming a hostile loner with murderous intentions. He harbors in his house an ugly, devastating secret. A secret which is the source of great wealth, but also the source of immeasurable pain ... Their paths cross ... and the dead rise from their graves ... who will survive the encounter?

Rock legend Bane Bronson never thought going through Hell would be the easy part.Now he has a choice to make, return to the comfort that leads to eternal torment. Or fight through the pain and chaos and rely on the One that leads to bliss.His eyes may be opened, but does he even care anymore?Aging rocker Bane Bronson was used to living on the edge and not even the slow progression of time could mellow him. He was born, lived and was destined to push the envelope further than anyone else and answer to no one, or so he thought. Someone was about to get his attention and send him on a trip unlike any he had ever been on before.After two trips to the pits of Hell itself Bane made a choice that would affect not only himself, but his marriage, his family and his career forever. Turns out, his brief walk through the darkness of Hell was the easy part. As he questions every decision he’s ever made and his life falls apart around him will he turn to the comfort that leads to eternal torment? Or to the one that leads to freedom?Can he, his family, his career survive?Or will he let them all go?His eyes may be open, but does he even care anymore?

What do the following have in common: a muntjac deer, a toilet, and a hairless cat? They are three key factors in uncovering a treasure that may or may not exist. But for Abby and Jamie Patterson, these items are essential ingredients to fulfilling their grandfather's greatest desire.What do the following have in common: a muntjac deer, a toilet, and a hairless cat? They are three key factors in uncovering a treasure that may or may not exist. But for Abby and Jamie Patterson, these items are essential ingredients to fulfilling their grandfather's greatest desire. Is the fortune real, or are the siblings following a path to nowhere as set down by an eccentric old woman? The quest is on, and time is running out. Can you help solve the mystery?

Hailey never planned for a Chase Lancaster in her life, and she is about to find out that this walking contradiction will change her forever.Hailey Peters has always held onto the familiar. From the way she wears her hair, to dating her childhood friend-turned high school sweetheart--she sticks with what she knows, and she’s convinced herself that this is what makes her happy.Chase Lancaster doesn’t play by the rules. He’s a classically trained pianist who rocks out in a punk rock band every weekend, and isn’t afraid of taking chances.When they are assigned to co-write a song for their college music class, Hailey can’t imagine anyone she has anything less in common with than Chase. She is a sweater-wearing, neat freak, and he is disheveled and rough around the edges. As they spend time together, they both find a place in each other’s lives—a place where they challenge each other to be different and to embrace the unfamiliar.Hailey never planned for a Chase Lancaster in her life, and she is about to find out that this walking contradiction will change her forever.

Eugene is a very lucky lizard. Everything always goes his way. Do you want to know his secret? This is an excellent read for beginning and early readers. Each story is easy to read and exciting with cute and bright illustrations for younger readers and a coloring book.Are you looking for a kid's or children's book that is highly entertaining, great for early readers, and is jam-packed with bedtime stories, jokes, games, and more? This children's storybook has it all!Eugene is a very lucky lizard. Everything always goes his way. Do you want to know his secret? This is an excellent read for beginning and early readers. Each story is easy to read and exciting with cute and bright illustrations for younger readers and a coloring book.This book is especially great for traveling, waiting rooms, and read aloud at home.-Fun games and puzzles included-Excellent for beginning and early readers-Cute short stories that are great for a quick bedtime story-Funny and hilarious jokes & illustrations for kids-Coloring book downloads includedThis story is great for a quick bedtime story and to be read aloud with friends and family.Story List & Activities:-Your Gift-The Day the Luck Ran Out-Catastrophe Joe-Bouncer and the Pie-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!-Clever vs. Wise-Funny Jokes for Kids-Games and Puzzles-Game and Puzzle Solutions-Coloring Book DownloadsScroll up and click 'buy' and spend some quality time with your child!

Cornelia leaves her ordered college life to find her home in shambles. Will her faith be strong enough to make her house a home again?