Something wicked this way comes… The arrival of a very important person in her office seemed to be the start of a lot of problems for Kit Colbana, investigator extraordinaire. Claiming that he needed somebody with her special skillset, he sends her on a series of jobs that made little to no sense until one culminated with both her and her partner, Justin barely escaping with their lives. Back in Orlando, they go their separate ways to recover, Justin heading to the house of a local witch, while Kit returns to the Lair, where she’s recently been living with her lover Damon, the Alpha of the Southern Cat Clans. There’s barely a chance for Kit to catch her breath before trouble of the highest order comes knocking on her door. This time, it’s the form of a psychic by the name of Nova. Nova has bad, bad news…Justin has gone missing and so has the witch who was going to put him up while he healed. Colleen, one of Kit’s closest, dearest friends. With all sorts of non-humans disappearing, fury doesn’t even touch what Kit is feeling as she heads out to hunt down the people responsible. But Kit isn’t the only one out on a hunt…somebody is hunting for her…somebody Kit would rather never, ever see again.
Haunted, Hunted...and harassed. Never let it be said that Kit Colbana had ever been given the easy road. Or even the semi-paved road. Only weeks after dealing with the mysterious—and murderous—being called Puck, she’s got another killer on her hands. Perhaps even two. Some of the bodies turning up bring up haunting memories of a past she longs to forget, but as always, that past is chasing her at her heels, like a hated shadow. As the body count racks up, there’s an imbalance of power, particularly among the vampire population, and Kit must yet again deal with ugly memories as one of the monsters who tried to break her is set free to deal with the imbalance of power. Yet while a power struggle rages in East Orlando, there’s another, more subtle battle taking place and Kit feels like the center of it all. Arrogant? Maybe. But the dead bodies don’t bear the mark of her grandmother’s pet killer by sheer coincidence...and she doubts her nemesis being released is either.
Kit Colbana—half breed, assassin, thief, jack of all trades—has a new job: track down the missing ward of one of the local alpha shapeshifters. It should be a piece of cake. So why is she so nervous? It probably has something to do with the insanity that happens when you deal with shifters—especially sexy ones who come bearing promises of easy jobs and easier money. Or maybe it’s all the other missing kids that Kit discovers while working the case, or the way her gut keeps screaming she’s gotten in over her head. Or maybe it’s because if she fails—she’s dead. If she can stay just one step ahead, she should be okay. Maybe she’ll even live long to collect her fee...
Bladed Magic: A Colbana Files Prequel For the first time in her life, Kit Colbana’s life was going just fine. Then she finds herself tangled up with a green-eyed witch by the name of Justin. He’s looking for somebody and for some bizarre reason, he seems to think she can help. All she has to do is say no, and she can go back to her safe little existence. That’s exactly what she needs to do and she knows it. Too bad she’s not very good at following her own advice. Book 1: Blade Song Kit Colbana—half breed, assassin, thief, jack of all trades—has a new job: track down the missing ward of one of the local alpha shapeshifters. It should be a piece of cake. So why is she so nervous? It probably has something to do with the insanity that happens when you deal with shifters—especially sexy ones who come bearing promises of easy jobs and easier money. Or maybe it’s all the other missing kids that Kit discovers while working the case, or the way her gut keeps screaming she’s gotten in over her head. Or maybe it’s because if she fails—she’s dead. Book 2: Night Blade Kit Colbana has a knack for finding trouble. This time, though, trouble finds her. People on the Council are dying left and right and she’s been requested to investigate the deaths. The number one suspect? Her lover, Damon. If she doesn’t clear his name, he gets a death sentence. Even if she succeeds? They still might try to execute him. Oh, and she’s not allowed to tell him about the case, either. The stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. Kit may be forced to pay the ultimate price to save her lover’s life...a price that could destroy her and everything she loves. Book 3: Broken Blade Kit Colbana: assassin, thief, investigator extraordinaire. Now broken. Haunted by nightmares and stripped of her identity, she’s retreated to Wolf Haven, the no-man’s land where she found refuge years before. But while she might want to hide away from the rest of the world, the rest of the world isn’t taking the hint. Dragged kicking and screaming back into life, Kit is thrust head-first into an investigation surrounding the theft of an ancient relic...one that she wants nothing to do with. Forced to face her nightmares, she uncovers hidden strength and comes face to face with one of the world’s original monsters. If she survives the job, she won’t be the same...and neither will those closest to her.
The series, Awareness Social Sciences for classes VI, VII and VIII is based on the syllabus as specified by NCERT for the latest sessions. The syllabus has tried to link the academic curriculum with real life and, thus, dwelled on connecting the students' understanding with the real world around them. Accordingly, this book has incorporated real life examples , case studies, story lines and narratives which could be immensely helpful in assimilation and to inculcate interests among the students significantly.
When his kingdom waged a holy crusade to reclaim a sacred artifact long thought lost, Legalt Dramis made a name for himself as a peerless warrior. Known by friend and foe alike as Crimson Flash for his incredible combat prowess, he carved a bloody swath through his enemies and succeeded against impossible odds to bring the Divine Oath back to its rightful place. Upon his return, however, he surprised the world by turning his back on both his homeland and nobility, choosing instead the life of a mercenary. Six years after his departure, as war looms once more on the horizon, Legalt is hired back into service and finds himself drawn into a conflict that threatens to reveal the dark truth behind the Crusade, as well as the secret behind the legendary Crimson Flash himself.
One needs to look at only a small portion of the enormous literature on plate tectonics published in the last 15 years to realize that there are many differences between the various reconstructions that have been presented. It becomes obvious that, although there is a general agreement about the presence of an assembly of continents (a Pangaea) in the early Mesozoic, there is considerable disagreement among earth scientists as to the configurement of the assembly and the manner and timing of the subsequent dispersal. While the revolution in geophysics was taking place, systematic work in paleontology and neontology was being carried out. This book is an attempt to incorporate the biological evidence into the theory of plate tectonics.The author traces the changing relationships among the various biogeographic regions and demonstrates how such changes may often be correlated with the gradual geographic alteration of the earth's surface. He analyses recent information about the distribution of widespread groups of terrestrial and freshwater vertebrates, invertebrates and plants, and discusses the biogeographical effects of the movement of oceanic plates.It is particularly important to obtain dependable information about certain critical times in the history of continental relationships. We need to know when the terrestrial parts of the earth were broken apart and when they were joined together. The present investigation makes it clear that we cannot depend entirely on evidence from plate tectonics nor will purely biological evidence suffice. This book thus provides much of interest to systematists working on contemporary groups of plants and animals, paleontologists, evolutionary biologists, and professors teaching courses in biogeography.
Blade's End It's all coming to a bitter end Kit and her lover, Damon, the Alpha of the Southern Cat Clans, are hot on the trail of Madae, an ancient entity that has haunted Kit’s people through the ages, stealing and discarding bodies once she's worn them out. Kit was supposed to be the next target, but she proved to be tougher than Madae expected. As both an act of revenge and expediency, Madae went for the next nearest of kin, Kit's cousin, Doyle. Earth-shattering truths are revealed and secrets laid bare, including secrets that threaten the love between Kit and Damon, and their very lives. They're determined to find Madae and save Doyle. But will those secrets drive them apart? Will those secrets drive them mad? And when they find themselves confronting not one ancient evil, but two, will Kit and Damon be strong enough to save Doyle? Or will one of them pay the ultimate price?
Every year a staggering number of unidentified shell corporations succeed in hiding perpetrators of terrorist financing, corruption and illegal arms trades, but the degree to which firms flout global identification standards remains unknown. Adopting a unique, experimental methodology, Global Shell Games attempts to unveil the sordid world of anonymous shell corporations. Posing as twenty-one different international consultants, the authors approached nearly 4,000 services in over 180 countries to discover just how easy it is to form an untraceable company. Combining rigorous quantitative analysis, qualitative investigation of responses and lurid news reports, this book makes a significant research contribution to compliance with international law and international crime and terrorism whilst offering a novel, new approach to the field of political science research. Global Shell Games is an invaluable resource for scholars of international relations, and a fascinating, accessible read for anyone interested in learning about worldwide criminal practice in corporate finance.
A contemporary adventure based on Maya mythology from Rick Riordan Presents and New York Times bestselling author J. C. Cervantes! Zane has always enjoyed exploring the dormant volcano near his home in New Mexico, even though hiking it is challenging. He'd much rather hang out there with his dog, Rosie, than go to middle school, where kids call him Sir Limps a Lot, McGimpster, or Uno--for his one good leg. What Zane doesn't know is that the volcano is a gateway to another world and he is at the center of a powerful prophecy. A new girl at school, Brooks, informs him that he's destined to release an evil god from the ancient Maya relic he is imprisoned in--unless she can find and remove it first. Together they return to the volcano, where all kinds of crazy happens. Brooks turns into a hawk, a demon attacks them in a cave, and Rosie gives her all while trying to protect Zane. When Zane decides to save his dog no matter the cost, he is thrust into an adventure full of surprising discoveries, dangerous secrets, and an all-out war between the gods, one of whom happens to be his father. To survive, Zane will have to become the Storm Runner. But how can he run when he can't even walk well without a cane?
The series, Awareness Social Sciences for classes VI, VII and VIII is based on the syllabus as specified by NCERT for the latest sessions. The syllabus has tried to link the academic curriculum with real life and, thus, dwelled on connecting the students' understanding with the real world around them. Accordingly, this book has incorporated real life examples , case studies, story lines and narratives which could be immensely helpful in assimilation and to inculcate interests among the students significantly.
Molecular approaches have opened new windows on a host of ecological and evolutionary disciplines, ranging from population genetics and behavioral ecology to conservation biology and systematics. Molecular Markers, Natural History and Evolution summarizes the multi-faceted discoveries about organisms in nature that have stemmed from analyses of genetic markers provided by polymorphic proteins and DNAs. The first part of the book introduces rationales for the use of molecular markers, provides a history of molecular phylogenetics, and describes a wide variety of laboratory methods and interpretative tools in the field. The second and major portion of the book provides a cornucopia of biological applications for molecular markers, organized along a scale from micro-evolutionary topics (such as forensics, parentage, kinship, population structure, and intra-specific phylogeny) to macro-evolutionary themes (including species relationships and the deeper phylogenetic structure in the tree of life). Unlike most prior books in molecular evolution, the focus is on organismal natural history and evolution, with the macromolecules being the means rather than the ends of scientific inquiry. Written as an intellectual stimulus for the advanced undergraduate, graduate student, or the practicing biologist desiring a wellspring of research ideas at the interface of molecular and organismal biology, this book presents material in a manner that is both technically straightforward, yet rich with concepts and with empirical examples from the world of nature.
Among the fishes. a remarkably wide range of biological adaptations to diverse habitats has evolved. As well as living in the conventional habitats of lakes. ponds, rivers, rock pools and the open sea, fish have solved the problems of life in deserts. in the deep sea. in the cold antarctic. and in warm waters of high alkalinity or of low oxygen. Along with these adaptations, we find the most impressive specialisations of morphology, physiology and behaviour. For example we can marvel at the high-speed swimming of the marlins. sailfish and warm-blooded tunas, air-breathing in catfish and lungfish. parental care in the mouth-brooding cichlids and viviparity in many sharks and toothcarps. Moreover, fish are of considerable importance to the survival of the human species in the form of nutritious. delicious and diverse food. Rational exploi management of our global stocks of fishes must rely upon a detailed tation and and precise insight of their biology. The Chapman [.,. Hall Fish and Fisheries series aims to present timely volumes reviewing important aspects of fish biology. Most volumes will be of interest to research workers in biology. zoology. ecology and physiology but an additional aim is for the books to be accessible to a wide spectrum of non-specialist readers ranging from undergraduates and postgraduates to those with an interest in industrial and commercial aspects of IIsh and t1sheries.
Amphibians and reptiles is a comprehensive guide to the native and non-native species of amphibian and reptile found in the British Isles. Professor Trevor Beebee covers the biology, ecology, conservation and identification of the British herpetofauna, and provides keys for the identification of adult and immature newts and newt eggs, larvae and metamorphs; frog and toad adults and metamorphs, spawn and larvae; adult and hatchling limbed lizards; and adult snakes. Distribution maps are included for all species, and the book is illustrated throughout with colour photographs and figures. The goal of this book is to encourage readers to develop their own ecological studies, to this end, the author summarises the current state of knowledge of reptile and amphibian biology, including behaviour, breeding, habitat selection, migration and development, and offers ideas for research projects that could be undertaken to further what is known. A chapter is devoted to the practicalities of professional work with amphibians and reptiles, including licensing requirements. Research techniques, including survey methods such as night searches for newts and bottle trapping, are discussed in detail, and consideration is given to methods of data analysis. Author royalties from this book have been donated to Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.
Horse gram is a pulse and fodder crop native to Southeast Asia and tropical Africa. India is the only country cultivating horse gram on a large acreage, where it is being used for human food. It is a versatile crop and can be grown from near sea level to 1800m. It is a drought-tolerant crop plant and can be grown successfully with low rainfall. Global efforts to conserve the horse gram germplasm are lacking, as the crop does not attract much notice. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) conserved only 35 accessions of Macrotyloma uniflorum in its gene bank. Protabase (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa Database), responsible for germplasm conservation for African countries, has only 21 accessions in the National Gene Bank of Kenya. Australian Tropical Crops and Forages Genetic Resources Centre, Biloela, Queensland has 38 accessions of horse gram. In India, the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, is a nodal agency for the collection, conservation and documentation of horse gram germplasm; a total of 1627 accessions of horse gram are conserved in its gene bank. About 1161 accessions were systematically characterized and evaluated during 1999–2004 in different research institutions in India. No information on genomic resources is available for horse gram. However, the genetic information available for much researched related legume species could be useful in linkage map construction and for tagging and mapping of useful genes.
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