A historical journey in pursuit of the history, legend and lore of vampires. Where do they come from? Why do they have so much appeal today? As Twilight hits the book charts and billboards, and True Blood is on TV there are vampires in downtown clubs and never has it been more fashionable to be pale. M J Trow looks at the story of vampires and charts its origins a long way from the shopping mall in the story of the warrior prince, Vlad of Wallachia.
In July 1765 Robert Clive, in a letter to Sir Francis Sykes, compared Gomorrah favourably to Calcutta, then capital of British India. He wrote: 'I will pronounce Calcutta to be one of the most wicked places in the Universe.' Drawing upon the letters, memoirs and journals of traders, travellers, bureaucrats, officials, officers and the occasional bishop, Doolally Sahib and the Black Zamindar is a chronicle of racial relations between Indians and their last foreign invaders, sometimes infuriating but always compelling. A multitude of vignettes, combined with insight and analysis, reveal the deeply ingrained conviction of 'white superiority' that shaped this history. How deep this conviction was is best illustrated by the fact that the British abandoned a large community of their own children because they were born of Indian mothers. The British took pride in being outsiders, even as their exploitative revenue policy turned periodic drought and famine into horrific catastrophes, killing impoverished Indians in millions. There were also marvellous and heart-warming exceptions in this extraordinary panorama, people who transcended racial prejudice and served as a reminder of what might have been had the British made India a second home and merged with its culture instead of treating it as a fortune-hunter's turf. The power was indisputable-the British had lost just one out of 18 wars between 1757 and 1857. Defeated repeatedly on the battlefield, Indians found innovative and amusing ways of giving expression to resentment in household skirmishes, social mores and economic subversion. When Indians tried to imitate the sahibs, they turned into caricatures; when they absorbed the best that the British brought with them, the confluence was positive and productive. But for the most part, subject and ruler lived parallel lives. From the celebrated writer of the bestselling Gandhi's Hinduism: the Struggle Against Jinnah's Islam comes this extensively researched and utterly engrossing book, which is easy to pick up and difficult to put down.
The intrepid Edie Kiglatuk discovers one of her female students dead in a toxic lake in her third arctic mystery In the third novel in this highly praised mystery series that will appeal to fans of The Killing, Top of the Lake, and The Bridge, Edie Kiglatuk works as a summer school teacher in the Canadian arctic. When one of her female students is found dead in nearby Lake Turngaluk, Edie enlists the help of Sergeant Derek Palliser to pursue the case, promising the girl’s Inuit family that they will uncover the truth. Meanwhile, lawyer Sonia Gutierrez investigates the toxicity of the lake and suspects that there might be a larger conspiracy involved. As the three clamber over rocky terrain under twenty-four-hour daylight they start to unearth secrets long frozen over—risking their own lives in the process. With stunning prose, M. J. McGrath delivers another thrill ride through a hauntingly beautiful landscape.
The final, thrilling instalment in MJ Porter's The Brunanburh Series.Can King Edmund of the English banish the Norse invaders from England one final time? AD942 In the wake of the agreement reached at Lincoln between Edmund and Anlaf Sihtricson of the Norse, Edmund returns to Wessex to reflect and rebuild, impatient to reverse his losses at Lincoln. But this is the winter of discontent. In Jorvik and the kingdom of the Scots, those who’ve waited too long to become kings in their own right grow restless. As the enemies of the English turn on themselves, Edmund senses the opportunity to reclaim all his brother, the victor of Brunanburh, managed to gain before his untimely death plunged England back into war with her many foes. With his sights set firmly on York, can he recreate the England his brother built, or will the enemies of England realise the error of their ways and once more unite to drive Edmund back to Wessex, leaving York in the hands of the Norse. A thrilling conclusion to MJ Porter's epic retelling of the consequences of the battle of Brunanburh. Praise for The Brunanburh Series. 'An epic tale of the birth of a nation. Truly mesmerising. Game of Thrones meets The Last Kingdom' - Gordon Doherty 'MJ effortlessly draws you into early Medieval England with this fascinating tale.' - Donovan Cook 'A very good read and MJ Porter is at her best bringing flesh to the facts and giving the main players personalities. Great way to read about the history of this time. Enjoy.' - Goodreads 'Another of this author’s brilliant books. A good read and excellent characterisation of the men involved.now onto the next book.' - Reader Review 'Completely compelling read set out to combine all the main characters stories in an free flowing style. Interesting how the character of each character is developed through the novel.' - Reader Review 'Another brilliant tale of old England. M.J.Porter tells an intreguing tale of kings and warriors, when age old rivalries are temporarily settled. I presume that the tale of old England will continue.I hope so' - Reader Review
Ecology: Principles and Applications is a comprehensive textbook for A-level students and first-year undergraduates taking courses in biology, geography and Earth sciences, who require an introduction to ecology. Studies of human ecology are integrated into the text, and the links to related disciplines are emphasised. The text begins with the ecology of individual organisms and moves on, through communities and ecosystems, to global considerations of biogeography, co-evolution and conservation. Case histories, historical perspectives, controversial theories and extension material are highlighted throughout the book. The second edition has been brought up to date with current syllabuses by the addition of further material on the key issue of conservation, giving excellent coverage of the principles of conservation and using case studies to provide examples of conservation policies in practice. The authors are experienced teachers of ecology at sixth form and undergraduate level.
Astonishingly, The Hagley Wood Murder is the first book solely on the subject (other than a selection of privately printed/self published offerings) ever written on this murder, which too place eighty years ago. In April 1943, four teenaged boys discovered a corpse stuffed into the bole of a wych elm in a wood in the industrial Midlands. The body was merely bones and had been in the tree for up to two years. The pathologist determined that she was female, probably in her thirties, had given birth and was just under five feet tall. The cause of death was probably suffocation. Six months after the discovery, mysterious messages began to appear on walls in the area, variants of ‘Who Put Bella Down the Wych Elm – Hagley Wood’. And the name Bella has stuck ever since. Local newspapers, then the national press, took up the story and ran with it, but not until 1968 was there a book on the case – Donald McCormick’s Murder by Witchcraft – and that, like others that followed, tied Bella in with another supposedly occult murder, that of Charles Walton on Meon Hill in 1945. Any unsolved murder brings out the oddballs – the police files, only recently released, are full of them – and the nonsense still continues. The online versions are woeful – inaccuracy piled on supposition, laced with fiction. It did not help that a professional occultist, Dr Margaret Murray, expressed her belief, as early as 1953, that witchcraft was involved in Bella’s murder. And ill-informed nonsense has been cobbled together to ‘prove’ that Dr Murray was right. McCormick’s own involvement was in espionage and his book, slavishly copied by later privately printed efforts, have followed this tack too. It was wartime, so the anonymous woman in the wych elm had to be a spy, parachuted in by the Abwehr, the Nazi secret service. The Hagley Wood Murder is the first book to unravel the fiction of McCormick and others. It names Bella and her probable murderer. And if the conclusion is less over-the-top than the fabrications referred to above, it is still an intriguing tale of the world’s oldest profession and the world’s oldest crime!
The next bloody and thrilling instalment in MJ Porter's The Brunanburh Series.Can the King of the Scots and the Dublin Norse triumph against a united England? AD934 King Athelstan of the English has been successful in uniting the many kingdoms of Britain against one enemy, the Viking raiders. But men who are kings don’t wish to be ruled. Constantin, King of the Scots, rebelled against the Imperium and was forcibly brought to bend the knee to Athelstan and England at Cirencester. His son Ildulb seeks bloody vengeance from Athelstan following the battle at Cait and the death of his son. Olaf Gothfrithson, king of the Dublin Norse, having asserted his power following his father's death has his sights set on reclaiming Jorvik. Can the united might of the Scots and the violence of the Dublin Norse, descendants of the infamous Viking raiders, bring King Athelstan and his vision of the united Saxon English to her knees? An epic story of kingsmanship that will result in the pivotal, bloody Battle of Brunanburh, where only one side can be victorious. Praise for The Brunanburh Series. 'An epic tale of the birth of a nation. Truly mesmerising. Game of Thrones meets The Last Kingdom' - Gordon Doherty 'MJ effortlessly draws you into early Medieval England with this fascinating tale.' - Donovan Cook 'A very good read and MJ Porter is at her best bringing flesh to the facts and giving the main players personalities. Great way to read about the history of this time. Enjoy.' - Goodreads 'Another of this author’s brilliant books. A good read and excellent characterisation of the men involved.now onto the next book.' - Reader Review 'Completely compelling read set out to combine all the main characters stories in an free flowing style. Interesting how the character of each character is developed through the novel.' - Reader Review 'Another brilliant tale of old England. M.J.Porter tells an intreguing tale of kings and warriors, when age old rivalries are temporarily settled. I presume that the tale of old England will continue.I hope so' - - Reader Review
Molecular biology is one of the most rapidly growing develo- ping and at thesame time most exciting disciplines. The key to molecular biology lies in the understanding of nucleic a- cids - their structure, function, and interaction with pro- teins. Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology keeps scientists informed of the explosively growing information and complies with with the great interest in this field by offering a continued high standard of review. A substantial part of this volume has been devoted to the analysis of different aspects of nucleic acid-protein-interactions including RNA- protein-interaction.
As a child, Meer Logan was haunted by bizarre memories and faint strains of elusive music. Now a strange letter beckons her to Vienna, promising to unlock the mysteries of her past. With each step, she comes closer to remembering connections between a clandestine reincarnationist society, Beethoven's lost flute and journalist David Yalom. David knows loss firsthand—terrorism took his entire family. Now, beneath a concert hall in Vienna, he plots a violent wake-up call to illustrate the world's need for true security. Join international bestselling author M. J. Rose in her unforgettable novel about a woman paralyzed by the past, a man robbed of his future and a secret centuries old.
The assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy is one of the milestones of history. Everyone, it is said, remembers where they were when they heard the news. Because the official investigation, the Warren Commission, set up by Kennedy’s successor in the White House, Lyndon Johnson, was such a whitewashing travesty of justice, the world has felt itself free to speculate ever more wildly about what really happened in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, in November 1963. The killer, said the Warren Commission, was the peculiar loner, Lee Harvey Oswald, and he acted alone. Evidence, science and common sense have long ago proved that this was not possible. So it was the Russians. It was the Cubans. It was the Mafia. It was Lyndon Johnson. It was the Secret Service. It was the FBI. It was the CIA. It was that murky conspiratorial bunch, the Military-Industrial Complex. This book evaluates all the above and comes to another conclusion entirely. The reason that we are still arguing about who was responsible for a murder committed in front of a large crowd in broad daylight is that no one was prepared to put up their hands and admit their responsibility for not doing their jobs properly. Yes, there was a conspiracy, but the ‘cock-up’ element was even greater. Why was there inadequate Secret Service protection for the president in Dallas? Why was the motorcade route made public well in advance? Why was Lee Oswald identified on the word of a single witness? Why was Jack Ruby allowed to slip past dozens of policemen to kill Oswald? Why were the lawyers of the Warren Commission allowed to select witnesses and bully them into saying what they had not seen? Why did subsequent governmental inquiries fudge the physics of a headshot and a bungled autopsy? Why does the American mainstream media still cling to the lone gunman, single bullet theory? The answer is simple. Everybody in 1963 and for many years afterwards were far too concerned about covering their own backs. Truth and justice got lost somewhere in all of that.
We are not alone. The Prometheus Probe is a human by design and sent by an advanced alien civilization. Prometheus's mission is to report on the development of intelligent life on Earth. It looks human. It walks among us, watches us, and learns from us, without exposing its secret. Through the ages, Prometheus's artificial eyes have observed humanity at its best and its worst. It has seen us rise to challenges and fall into hubris, risk all for the sake of others, and commit unspeakable atrocities. The Probe observes the human condition and reports its findings to its creator. And sometimes, it acts. THE PROMETHEUS SAGA is an anthology, thirteen speculative stories that explore what it means to be human. Florida Writers Association's Royal Palm Literary Awards: "Lilith," by Antonio Simon, Jr., won 1st Place for Published Short Story. "The Pisces Affair," by Daco Auffenorde, won 3rd Place for Published Short Story. "Manteo," by Elle Andrews Patt, won 3rd Place for Published Novella. "The Strange Case of Lord Byron's Lover," by Parker Francis, won 1st Place in General Category, and was also 1st Runnerup for Published Book of the Year.
Covering a topic of massive contemporary importance, this well written volume demonstrates how transportation strategy and environmental sustainability can be pursued in a comprehensive and harmonious, rather than unconnected and potentially conflicting, set of public policies. It applies lessons from several urban areas (e.g., Bogota, Singapore, Mexico City, Sao Paulo), including "success stories" and less successful "hard-won lessons", to a case study in Guangzhou.
Enjoy this romantic historical fantasy series from RITA® Award nominated author M.J. Scott. Magically bound to the man who should be her worst enemy. Chloe de Montesse dreamed about returning home to a peaceful life. But now she has an inconvenient marriage no one wants to let her end, a diplomatic scandal to navigate, and old troubles swirling around her. As well as trying to determine who might want her dead. And that’s just the beginning… Lucien de Roche has avoided marriage for years because his heart belonged to a woman he could never have. Now he has her, but he knows he’ll have to let her go again because their marriage is a sham. So he still can’t tell her the truth. But he will do everything in his power to keep her safe… The Traitor's Game is the second book in the Daughter of Ravens series, a new romantic historical fantasy series from RITA® Award nominated author M.J. Scott, set in the same world as the Four Arts series. This series has old friends turned enemies (and then enemies to lovers), a heroine looking for a second chance, a smitten hero, political intrigue, royal witches, inconvenient marriages, sexy times and more. Enjoy! Author's note: For tropes and CW, please check the author's website.
The persistently increasing scale and complexity of government, of quasi public organizations, and of private organizations pose many problems in the economics of collective choice. Moreover, education as a quasi-public good has drawn ever more heavily on public budgets. Yet economic research into collective behavior with respect to education has been sparse (with the partial exception of recent work on teacher unions). In view of these trends, it was decided that the third conference under the Ford-sponsored UK. jUS. Pro gramme in the Economics of Education should make the high-risk effort of encouraging and bringing together studies relating to collective choice in education, with some emphasis on studies in educational finance. The con ference exploited opportunities for an exchange of ideas between economists in the United Kingdom and in the United States; there were special gains that could come from such an interchange. British and American economists do share a common inheritance that goes back to Benthamite utilitarianism and a common training in neo-classical economic theory even when one or both of these is challenged (which happens, of course, on both sides of the Atlantic). They share also a culture of political democracy despite important dissimilar ities in governmental structures and institutions. These commonalities and contrasts facilitate comparative testing of analyses developed in either setting.
The penultimate bloody and thrilling instalment in MJ Porter's The Brunanburh Series. Can the Norse and the Scots exact their revenge over the mighty King Athelstan of the English? AD937 After the slaughter field of Brunanburh, a defeated Olaf Gothfrithson of the Dublin Norse and Constantin of the Scots narrowly escaped with their lives. In their kingdoms, failure has left them demoralised and weak. Olaf licks his wounds in Dublin, whilst Constantin and the Welsh kingdoms who defied King Athelstan, are once more forced to bend the knee. As Athelstan’s reputation grows stronger day by day, their need to exact revenge on the overmighty and triumphant Athelstan has never been greater. Olaf sets his sights on reclaiming the lost kingdom of Jorvik only for tragedy to strike at the heart of England and a reluctant new King, Edmund steps in the fray. While England mourns the death of their warrior King, her enemies gather on her borders and England stands alone against the might of the Norse, Welsh and Scots. Can the new King be victorious and banish her enemies once and for all or will England, and its king lose all that’s been gained and succumb to a new pretender? ** An epic tale of kinsmanship, greed and power, perfect for the fans of Bernard Cornwell's The Last Kingdom series.** Praise for The Brunanburh Series. 'An epic tale of the birth of a nation. Truly mesmerising. Game of Thrones meets The Last Kingdom' - Gordon Doherty 'MJ effortlessly draws you into early Medieval England with this fascinating tale.' - Donovan Cook 'A very good read and MJ Porter is at her best bringing flesh to the facts and giving the main players personalities. Great way to read about the history of this time. Enjoy.' - Goodreads 'Another of this author’s brilliant books. A good read and excellent characterisation of the men involved.now onto the next book.' - Reader Review 'Completely compelling read set out to combine all the main characters stories in an free flowing style. Interesting how the character of each character is developed through the novel.' - Reader Review 'Another brilliant tale of old England. M.J.Porter tells an intreguing tale of kings and warriors, when age old rivalries are temporarily settled. I presume that the tale of old England will continue.I hope so' - Reader Review
Has Your Life Been Conscripted by an Economic Religion? Learn How to Free Yourself and Your Life Through the Power of Fastlane Entrepreneurship By all appearances, Jeff and Samantha Trotman are living the American Dream. But behind the white picket fence, they endure an American Nightmare. With little time for each other, a pile of debt, and Ferrari taste on a Ford budget, the ruse of affluence is killing them. Two respectable jobs and a lovely suburban house paint a pretty picture, but behind the ink is a broken marriage rife with meaningless work and dead dreams. And now, with an unplanned pregnancy, they're facing a mid-life crisis twenty years early. With little time and looming bankruptcy, the Trotmans are forced to face the red-pill truth they long denied: They were alive, but they weren't living. Determined to resurrect their life and their marriage, the Trotmans plot a rat-race escape-only to find themselves more thickly in it. As tensions rise and hope fades, follow along step-by-step as the Trotmans pivot to a new strategy and a new career: starting a business as entrepreneurs. While they navigate their journey, you'll learn 120 wealth-building strategies and principles that your mainstream financial guru won't dare reveal-actionable concepts that will help you profit your way into the Unscripted 1%, an emerging economic class of entrepreneurs who enjoy a lifetime of freedom emancipated from miserly living and Wall Street's "save, pray, and wait" paradigm. Discover how one family escapes the rat-race grind and wins a lifetime of financial freedom, leaving behind the tyranny of meaningless jobs and mediocre living- and how you can too. Here is just a little of what you will learn: The Bad Math Principle: Why most people will never escape the rat-race, much less earn financial freedom. The 1/5/10 Strategy: How this one simple exercise will unearth your ultimate dream life while establishing a decision framework for its reality. The Honeypot Principle: Why the financial media's "invest a $100/mo for 40 years in indexed-funds" narrative is part of the same rat-race scheme, just a different side of the same rigged coin. The Dual Change Strategy: The two divergent sides of change and how it can make you a fortune. The Value Skew Strategy: How to find literally 1000s of business ideas and why you never need to "disrupt" or invent anything new or novel. The Millionaire Payday Strategy: How to spot opportunities to hire yourself and earn an instant millionaire-making income. The Cinderella Principle: Why starting a business based on a cultural trend or a fad is a horrible idea. The Perseverance Strategy: Never struggle with motivation again; the four necessary ingredients to tap into unlimited motivation and determination, regardless of the obstacles in your way. The Triangulated Value Strategy: Learn how to never quit three-feet from gold: The 3-pronged strategy in maximizing marketing yields while also illuminating the "quit or continue" decision. and over 110+ more! Don't let the rat-race and its co-conspirators proclaim your life as non-essential. Don't let the rat-race entice you to save your life away for the promise of an elderly retirement. Don't let the rat-race lull you into a tedious existence medicated by television, video games, and trivial sporting events. Go Unscripted, escape the rat-race, and win your happily-ever-after.
From animal companions to animal teachers to the power of animal totems, prepare to identify with the antics of Ole Blue Eyes (a cat whose adventures rival those of the infamous Garfield), rejoice as people receive messages on the wings of birds from their deceased loved ones, and be amazed at selfless acts of courage. Celebrate transformations and teachings as animal messengers such as bears, hawks, squirrels, owls, grasshoppers, ravens, and many more bring their wisdom to those in need. These and other true tales of animal encounters bring amazing lessons and experiences with them, inspiring you to better understand and appreciate the connection we all have to the animal kingdom and to nature in general. Becoming more attuned to natures messages empowers you to hear your own voiceless whispers.
The present volume, Nr. 5 in the T:VS series is an example of a handbook volume for working in vegetation science. Anyone working and teaching in this field knows the difficulties in obtaining basic environmental da ta needed for research and interpretation. There are regional publications and there are other data sets availa ble. In both cases the distribution is limited. The present volume by Dr. Muller intends to provide a selection of climatic parameters as they are commonly needed for the work of the vegetation scientist. The same set of monthly mean values are provided for about 1000 stations distributed as evenly as possible over the global land surfaces. The tabular presentation of data from the individual stations is put into a geographical context through va rious means. Climatological classifications according to KOPPEN/GEIGER and TROLL/PAFFEN are inclu ded as well as a revised system of climate diagrams from WALTER and LlETH. In the present form the glo bal standard climate data set should prove to be useful for vegetation science, biometeorology, agriculture, and forestry as well as general geography. I have to thank Dr. Muller for providing this valuable work to the T:VS series. I am sure that this selection of climatic data for the special needs of vegetation scientists will help many colleagues in different parts of the world.
Beth Lapointe has her hands full--her teenaged sister is struggling with new motherhood, her job as a waitress is becoming more strenuous as her boss is pulled in different directions, and her alcoholic father is demanding she help him or he’ll return to Bluestone. The last thing she needs is her high school sweetheart to show up live and in person and to realize she still has feelings for him. Country singer Maddox Bradley has returned to Bluestone, the only place he’s ever known peace. A car accident has the tabloids speculating over whether he’s drinking again, so he heads to the town where he used to spend his summer vacations. The town where he fell in love for the first time. He's surprised Beth is still there, but pleased. When he finds out she needs help, he wants nothing more than to give it to her, to make up for leaving her behind all those years ago. But is she willing to take it from a recovering alcoholic who has no plans to stick around? keywords: second chance romance, reunion romance, country singer, rich boy, poor girl, small town romance, Minnesota
Elvis Presley and the publicity questioning the validity of his demise have been consistently explored and will for a number of years to come. This story was not written to bring him back or revive his legacy. To the contrary, it was written to bring him peace and privacy, the common desire we all share. Here is written one possible explanation of how death may have been cheated. This involved long term planning to prepare the funds, contacts, a safe house, medical teams, and psychotherapists, specializing in dc-programming issues. After his consent the plan was put into action. After reading this let it be. M. J. Allan
In a powerful, smoldering novel from the bestselling authors of the Caldwell Brothers series (“Bad boy heroes to die for!”—Tracy Wolff), two tortured souls team up to overcome the past, finding the courage to heal . . . and to love. Jason “Cobra” Stanley was born to fight. With a father like his, he had to toughen up just to survive. Now Cobra tries to take out all of his frustration, all of his anger, and all of his pain in the MMA cage. But after he receives one too many hits to the head during a match, the cycle of violence comes to a screeching halt. Cobra wakes up in the hospital, under the care of a nurse whose blond hair shines like a halo—and whose pure heart touches him on the deepest level. Lorraine Bosch is a fighter too. The lone survivor of a chilling family tragedy, she prides herself on remaining professional, despite the chaos of the ER. But Cobra is the ultimate distraction. Lorraine knows she should run away screaming from his rippling muscles and shattered psyche. And yet how can she deny this broken man a second chance—especially since she knows exactly what he’s been through? Lorraine’s used to playing guardian angel. Now it’s her turn to find heaven in Cobra’s arms. Praise for Visibly Broken “When I go into a book hating the hero, and then by the end of the book love him, I know I have found an exceptional read. Visibly Broken is that read.”—Ryan Michele, author of the Ravage MC & Vipers Creed MC Series “Can you be the light to someone’s dark? Can a new start help kill the demons of the past? Chelsea Camaron and M.J. Fields deliver a TKO with this book. Cobra takes my breath away.”—S.M. Donaldson, author of the Marco’s MMA Boys Series “Chelsea Camaron and MJ Fields deliver another tormented, sizzling couple that grabs readers’ hearts and boils our desire.”—Rochelle’s Reviews “I loved every second. . . . Thank you Chelsea Camaron and MJ Fields for telling Cobra and Lo’s story. Although heartbreaking as it was, it was well worth the read.”—Twinsie Talk “Brilliant read.”—Best Book Boyfriends “Wow. . . . I love being surprised and this story got me. The feels, the constantly being on edge, the need for more, the rawness of the main characters. Just wow!”—Once Upon an Alpha “The epilogue was what got me. I was crying at the end.”—Life of a Crazy Mom “Visibly Broken is a gritty and raw romance with dark and dangerous undertones. . . . The romance is passionate and intense [with] two people caught up in the violence of an ugly and distressing world.”—The Reading Cafe Includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
Step into the world of The Four Arts. A romantic historical fantasy series from RITA® Award nominated author M.J. Scott. She ran to save her life. Now what . . . Lady Sophia Mackenzie has left almost everything behind. Her country. Her family. Her trust in the queen she suspects tried to kill her. All she has left is her own fledgling magic and her new husband, Cameron. But having fled Anglion to stay alive, she now has to learn how to face the dangers and temptations of Illvya, a land where the magic they practice is everything she’s been raised to fear. To those who rule Illvya—the mages with their demon familiars and the parliament—having an unbound royal witch like Sophie in their midst is to some an unparalleled opportunity and to others an unbearable threat. As factions form around them, Sophia and Cameron struggle to navigate the intrigues and repercussions of their flight from Anglion. Illvya seeks to control them and Anglion may well still be trying to kill them. As their choices close in around them and Sophia begins to discover the potential of her powers, their bond—both magical and emotional—is pushed to the limit. In the end, in order to survive, Sophia will have to decide between loyalty and destiny and hope the price of her choice is one she can bear to pay . . . The Unbound Queen is the final book in the Four Arts trilogy, a complete romantic gaslamp fantasy series from RITA® Award nominated author M.J. Scott. Perfect if you love fantasies with royal turmoil, witches, gaslamp vibes, marriages of convenience, protective heroes, sexy times and political intrigues. Enjoy! Author's note: For tropes and CW, please check the author's website.
Escape into this intense, steamy, and swoony romantic historical fantasy series from RITA® Award nominated author M.J. Scott. For a royal witch, magic always means marriage…whether she likes it or not Lady Sophia Kendall has always known three things. That she's thirty-second in line to the throne of Anglion. That when she turns twenty-one, she'll find out if she's a royal witch. And that, if she is a witch, she'll be married off immediately to whichever lord the king chooses. Now she's about to turn twenty-one and fulfill all the expectations that the Anglion court has for her. But when the palace is attacked just before her birthday, Sophie is spirited away from the city by Lieutenant Cameron Mackenzie, a royal guard determined to keep her safe. Being alone with a man she hardly knows is dangerous, especially so close to her birthday. And when Sophia discovers she does indeed have magic—strong magic—she and Cameron accidentally forge a bond that breaks every tradition Anglion holds dear. When they return to the palace, the aftermath of the attack has stirred up the worst kind of court politics and their unexpected union and Sophie's magic brings her to the deadly attention of those seeking to control the court and those who seeking to destroy it…and her. To survive, Sophia will have to see beyond the lies she's been taught and embrace the power nobody wants her to have… The Shattered Court is the first book in the Four Arts trilogy, a complete romantasy series from RITA® Award nominated author M.J. Scott. Perfect if you love fantasies with royal turmoil, witches, gaslamp vibes, marriages of convenience, protective heroes, sexy times and political intrigue. Enjoy! Author's note: For tropes and CW, please check the author's website. KEYWORDS: Romantic fantasy series, first book in series, romantasy, gaslamp fantasy, political fantasy, fantasy romance, royal romance, magic, witches, younger heroine romance, marriage of convenience, protector hero romance, historical fantasy, continuing relationship romance, complete fantasy trilogy
In today’s world, musing is a lost art that desperately needs to be rediscovered. Contrary to popular belief, we don’t run farther when we run faster. A full daily planner that leaves little time for thoughtful reflection, leads to an empty, unfulfilled life. A packed schedule sets aside one of the great purposes of life, to exercise the mind and stoke the creative spark within. We need to muse and muse often. In Musings from an Old Wooden Bridge, author MJ Gaylor offers a collection of random musings, complemented with Scripture, Bible stories, and personal experiences. The lead story, “Life Cycles,” expresses the importance of transitioning from one phase of life to the next, both as a Christian and as an individual. Moving successfully through each stage brings us to maturity, which is the goal of our human experience. “The Impossible Made Easy,” emphasizes the ease of the Christian life in contrast to how difficult we sometimes make it. Borrowing a phrase from baseball great Honus Wagner, Gaylor surmises that there’s not a lot to being a Christian, if you are one. The selection “Loved by God,” explores the love that God has for each of us. It is only when we receive His love that we begin to love ourselves. Treasuring ourselves as creations of God is the first step in loving others. Insightful and introspective, Musings from an Old Wooden Bridge encourages the reader to think deeply concerning the true meaning of life.
The following story that I’m going to share is true. It illuminates the impossible that can become possible when there is: • A loving and accepting family • Mother’s and Grandmother’s prayers • Strong presence of the Judeo Christian work ethic • Attitudes of Victory vs. Victimhood This is a story of love and the tragedy of others that made for this Developmentally Disabled couple’s independence. You’ll observe contrasting family attitudes and the unbelievable circumstances in others’ lives that are beyond comprehension. We’ll walk through some lives to celebrate their victories through love and determination. You’ll cheer the contentment, happiness, and love of this special couple. But you’ll also be challenged as we see our own evaluations and prejudging of things and people that are different. This book makes all of us look at ourselves and question our own tolerance levels in many areas of life. By the end of this story, most of you living in or visiting Steubenville, Ohio will think a little differently and smile as you see David (7’ tall) and Ruthy (5’ tall) sauntering down the sidewalk, holding hands as always. You’ll be inspired by secrets of triumph over odds and you’ll feel the small victories and blessings that we should celebrate every day. My hope is that your experience in reading this book will be as enjoyable as the laughs and tears I’ve experienced as I interviewed and met the remarkable characters that you’re about to meet in this true saga. We may even have to ask, “Do we love enough? Do we have what it takes to make lemonade out of our lemons?”
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