This is a collection of a variety of short short stories, and essays that may stir and warm your hearts. Although they may be short, they still bring a powerful message and an enduring ending. The stories are fun with plots that takes the reader on a journey of words fulfilling a message unto an enjoyable evening of reading. It is a short book with high hopes.Sophia's Garden is a short story about a young woman's look at life and her possible death. When family members are faced with the unknown, paralized by the inability to do anything but watch a loved one go through painful challenges, how does she teach them to live while looking at her own demise? What this short, poignant story might show you may change your life and those who love you if you are face insurmountable odds.

Three unlikely detectives join forces to solve a series of brutal murders in Tudor London, and are drawn into the political intrigues of its wealthiest and most powerful families.It is 1550: a time of divisive political, economic, and religious innovation throughout England. Although the City of London is burdened with overpopulation, poverty, and crime, so far its watch and constables have managed to keep the peace. However, when the body of an unidentified man is discovered in the butcher's district, brutally murdered with a meat cleaver, tension between the City's butchers and its rising immigrant population threatens to escalate into violence. Under pressure from sheriff Sir John York to find the murderer and restore order, parish constable George Harwood enlists his friend, soldier-turned-innkeeper Thomas Whyte, into the investigation. Unwittingly, he also involves Katherine Whyte, Thomas's strong-minded and capable cousin. The three unlikely detectives follow a trail of suspicious deaths, from the affluent mansions of Walbrook to the slums of Fenchurch Street. But are they connected? What part do York's own shadowy dealings play in the drama? Is there a political dimension to the deaths, or are they just the result of the random casual violence that typifies City life? As the investigation proceeds, Whyte finds himself increasingly drawn into the unfolding series of events, making powerful enemies, and putting his own life and Katherine's in jeopardy.

The author advances a theory of human behaviour based on the concept of a primal fear of not surviving. Evidence of such a fear is presented, and the ways we assuage or suppress it are described. These reveal its relevance to the emotions of love, anger, addiction and depression. A suggestion for dealing with the fear rationally, is offered.Bundled with the Fear Psychology thesis is a review paper entitled “A Century of Psychoanalysis”, which discusses an old psychology that has not yet expired. It introduced ideas that were radical and alarming at a time when sexual matters were not for public discussion, but what was probably more alarming was the concept of 'unconscious' motivation of behavior. This aspect of the theory tends to have been forgotten or ignored.

When a perfect couple commits double suicide, alarms go off in the offices of the high-tech matchmaking company. Investigation into a second couple's double suicide reveals a stunning labyrinth of artificial intelligence, creative genius, and a melding of technology that does indeed deliver on the company's guarantee of a perfect, lifelong mate.

White Rabbit's failed rescue mission to Ali Baba’s house triggers off a series of dilemmas. He is obliged to postpone his return to Wonderland. Alice cannot go to Wonderland without White Rabbit to direct her. The Duchess's Tea Party is postponed until he returns. Furthermore, the publishers are unable to bring out a new edition unless they ensnare White Rabbit.The girls feel sorry for an innocent boy who is in the clutches of the bandit chief. Much against his will, they send White Rabbit to Ali Baba’s house. His first attempt misfires and he is forced to postpone his trip back to Wonderland. This triggers off a series of dilemmas. Unless he completes his mission, he cannot attend the Duchess’s Tea Party. Also, Alice is unable to go to Wonderland without White Rabbit to direct her. Furthermore, the publishers cannot bring out a new edition unless White Rabbit gets back. But he isn’t anxious to make his exit. “I find this land more wonderful and the people extremely charming,” he says, eyeing a bed of carrots and the green lawn beyond.

"Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you..." Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives. Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now—reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers—not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke. When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained—and captivated—by their stories. By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself. What would he say . . . ?

As a young man, Paul Hoffman was a brilliant chess player . . . until the pressures of competition drove him to the brink of madness. In King's Gambit, he interweaves a gripping overview of the history of the game and an in-depth look at the state of modern chess into the story of his own attempt to get his game back up to master level--without losing his mind. It's also a father and son story, as Hoffman grapples with the bizarre legacy of his own dad, who haunts Hoffman's game and life.

Valentine’s Day is coming up and love is in the air between Beth Malloy and Josh Hatford. When they are spotted holding hands, Josh tells his teasing brothers that he’s simply spying on the girls to see what they’re plotting next. When Caroline Malloy decides she must know what it’s like to fall in love, too, poor Wally Hatford is in for it! Meanwhile, big sister Eddie couldn’t care less about that mushy stuff. All she cares about is her sixth-grade science fair project. But when she comes up with a great plan, Josh and Jake Hatford horn in on her project. On the day the plan goes into action, little do the boys know that Eddie has a trick up her sleeve. And with daredevil Caroline’s amazing attention-getting stunt, trouble is sure to follow. Get ready, the Malloys and Hatfords are at it again! From the Trade Paperback edition.

Dorothy Koomson captivated readers with her international bestseller My Best Friend’s Girl. Now she dazzles us once again with a tale of love, friendship, and families—the choices that shatter them, the hope that saves them, and the little moments that happen in between. Kendra Tamale is looking for a fresh start and a simple life when she rents a room from Kyle Gadsborough. But against her better judgment Kendra soon finds herself drawn into her new landlord’s household: a young father in way over his head, a beautiful mother out the door, and six-year-old twins, Summer and Jaxon, with hearts full of hurt. Kendra has plenty of issues of her own, but this family seems to need her so desperately that she’s soon falling in love—with Summer’s constant chatter, Jaxon’s soulful eyes, and the sugar-laden Saturday breakfasts she invents. But when a secret from Kendra’s past resurfaces and the children are taken away by their mother, the only way to fix things is to confess to the terrible mistake she made many years ago—and the choice she makes now could break more than one person’s heart. From the Trade Paperback edition.

A sexy rock star spinoff of True Love Story... * Dancing in pop superstar Beckham Woods’ entourage was the last thing Roxie wanted. Her life with little Leo was blissfully ordinary; she didn’t have time for the drama that stirring up old memories would surely cause. But when Roxie took a spot on an international tour with Woods and rock icon Ian Sterling, the lure of financial security and her passion for dance pulled her into an emotional storm that threatened to spin out of control and hurt the ones she loved most. Just as she began to adjust to her new life, it became apparent that danger was in the shadows, waiting for a chance to move... Fade to Red is a standalone novel featuring characters from True Love Story.

Life can feel like a cruel joke. I grew up poor and motherless, with a father who never got over his wife’s abandonment. But now he's gone too, and I'm dead set on finding the woman who so carelessly tossed me aside when I was a baby. I want revenge. And I'm going to get back at my mother any way that I can. I change my name. Start my new life in college, and just happen to cross paths with the gorgeous, ultra-rich Rhett Montgomery. He's immediately interested in me, not that I'm surprised. You see, I planned it that way. I meant for him to find me. He's the one connection to my mother, and I'm using him, so I can destroy her. But I didn't plan on Rhett being so charming. Sweet. Sexy. And I definitely didn't plan on falling for him either…

In the chilling opening to Birdman, the bodies of five women are found, ritualistically mutilated and dumped on wasteland in Greenwich, England. When post-mortem examinations reveal a single, horrific signature linking the victims - a tiny bird sewn into each chest - the police realize they are on the trail of a serial killer with a terrifying mind. Detective Inspector Jack Caffery, young,driven, unshockable, finds himself facing both hostilities within the force and his own memory of a lethal failure, as he struggles to unravel the most macabre murders he's ever seen. Now, as he employs every weapon science can offer, he knows he has little time before the sadistic killer strikes again. But he has so little evidence. All he has are five mutilated corpses and five dead little birds. Mo Hayder - with a keen psychological insight, brilliant forensic and procedural detail, and a psychically wounded but charismatic lead investigator - has written a first novel of raw intensity and deep understanding that will thrill the hearts of the most demanding readers of crime fiction. From the Paperback edition.

The Gold That Glitters --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! The fourth installment in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series promises to be even more popular than its predecessors. The perfect gift for friends, family and business associates is now available in A 4th Course.

Everyone knew that he was a good guy; geeky, responsible, hard-working. Henry has had a lot to deal with in the past. Now, as he should be focusing on his schooling and preparing himself for the future, he is hindered by abuse, the challenge of raising his baby brother while dealing with his mother’s deep depressions, and the return of a ghost from the past Henry has tried his best to forget.“You’re a good kid, Henry.”Everyone knew that he was a good guy; geeky, responsible, hard-working. Henry has had a lot to deal with in the past. Now, as he should be focusing on his schooling and preparing himself for the future, he is hindered by abuse, the challenge of raising his baby brother while dealing with his mother’s deep depressions, and the return of a ghost from the past Henry has tried his best to forget. But it seems that Henry can’t avoid the nastiness of life. As hard as he tries, it’s one more disaster after another as his life spirals out of control. Can Henry escape the darkness, or is he doomed to be consumed by it?'I was caught up in the twists and turns of the plot from the beginning of Deviation and was still surprised at the end.''This book could actually happen. That is what makes it so scary! I am really looking forward to the next book in the series. I am thoroughly intrigued and want to see what happens next.''“Deviation” will play on your emotions and feed your doubts as you follow Henry though his many troubles and trials.'