Bücher veröffentlicht von J.R. Cook Publishing

Gold Winner of the 2024 Nautilus Book Award in Memoir and Personal Journey"An insightful, mystic exploration of spiritual and racial healing." - KIRKUS REVIEWS (Recommended review)Indies Today calls it "a compassionate way of seeing the world."Winner of the Firebird Awards - SpiritualityIndies Today Finalist in SpiritualityNext Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist in: BIPOC, Spirituality, Mind/Body/SpiritEver wonder what it's like to heal trauma through meditation surrounded by white supremacists and neo-Nazis?The Ocean Inside Me is a spiritual memoir about healing racial trauma as a person of color incarcerated in an almost all-white prison. Amidst harsh conditions and blatant racism, R.G. Shore learned to meditate by going into his body, befriending his shadow, and learning to sit with the traumas held by his younger self.In The Ocean Inside Me, R.G. Shore learned to love and accept the cause of his deepest pain, his brown body. His prison radio became the conduit by which he transcended the limitations of prison. The static white noise helped transform a world of concrete and injustice into a world where he could connect to nature and find healing through the element of water. His embodied spiritual journey eventually led him to studying law where he advocated for the very men who oppressed him.A Master in meditation, R.G. Shore found a way to liberate his inner child in the most unlikely place and is now offering a path for you to find healing as well. This spiritual memoir also offers practical guided steps for you to begin your healing journey. R.G. Shore is the founder of a nonprofit called Northwest Wisdom, where he teaches people the tools and techniques to go deeper and heal the spiritual wounds within.

A dark yet heartwarming collection perfect for fans of Deesha Philyaw, Tracy Deonn, and Octavia Butler.What happens when the world is ending, but society wants to move on and ignore it? Apocalypse Still explores the fears, rage, and hopes of Black women and girls who must address the defeating circumstances of their apocalyptic worlds. In these ten earth-shattering scenarios, young Black women question how to survive, what they believe, and who to trust.In a future where Black people have superpowers, superhero Naomi wrestles against a newer iteration of America's oldest foe. Paranoid Jenise realizes that the government may be lying about the zombie virus. When society collapses, Gada infiltrates a secret organization in search of food but bites off more than she can chew. Kiana's kink helps her time travel between lovers. Trying to understand the truth of her disability, Monice uncovers an alien conspiracy.This debut collection weaves the grotesque and the beautiful, the extraordinary and the mundane together in these tender tales of community, ancestral gifts, and the lengths we go through to survive.

Every individual must look within themselves to decide what will make their life truly spectacular. For the author it is all about travel: the excitement of discovery and learning along the way and capturing those moments in an equally spectacular image.This book tells the story of the author's travels throughout his life with an emphasis on his love of photography and the national parks. It traces his journey from childhood, when he first experienced the time-honored road trip with his parents, through his military service, overseas and in the U.S., along with his many years in corporate America, each presenting him with new and unique travel opportunities. The wake-up call of a cancer diagnosis set him on the path to his most exciting adventures yet. He left his job, downsized his life, and moved into an RV to make travel his full-time focus rather than a thing he did only on vacation. He set a goal to visit and photograph all fifty-nine (at the time) national parks. Well on his way toward this goal, he experienced a major setback after an early-morning fire destroyed his RV and all his possessions, forcing him to rebuild his life to stay on the path to finishing his goal.

A heartbroken prince. A secretive guard. A voyage at sea. There are three things Prince Joran thinks he will never get over: the way his mother used him, the way his father ignored him, and the way an assassin murdered his fiancee. Angry at the injustice of life and grieving his loss, Joran finds himself on a path of self-destruction. That's before his father, King Henry, sentences him to a year at sea under the watchful eye of Captain Markus, with hopes that the rigorous lifestyle will help him move forward. His guard, Peter, and Captain Markus, seem intent on teaching him what they know about love and loss, but Joran hurts too much to welcome their friendship. When he hears about an assassin who severs the left hand of his victims, he knows he's discovered the man who murdered the girl he loved. Determined to make the man pay, Prince Joran believes he has found a new purpose for his life. When Joran is met with an unexpected revelation involving a young woman during his travels, he finds himself full of questions and speculation. Joran must now decide if loving again is worth letting go of the past.

A Companion Through Loss, A Bridge to Healing"Through Grief's Tender Heart" is a heartfelt exploration of grief, a book that speaks directly to the hearts of those who have known loss. This isn't a guide that glosses over the pain with easy answers; rather, it's a collection of narratives, reflections, and poems that acknowledge the raw, often messy reality of grieving.In these pages, you'll find expressions of sorrow, but also stories of resilience. The book doesn't shy away from the complexities of the grieving process, offering instead a sincere look at both the pain of loss and the slow, challenging journey towards healing.This book stands beside you during those moments when loss feels overwhelmingly present. It doesn't promise quick fixes but offers a space for your grief, a place where your thoughts and feelings are met with understanding and empathy.For anyone who has experienced the ache of losing someone, "Through Grief's Tender Heart" offers a voice that resonates with your own. It's about the real journey of grieving, filled with the small yet significant moments of connection and hope that appear even in the darkest times.Here, you will find not just reflections on loss, but also practical advice and support to help you navigate your way through. This book understands that grief is a path not meant to be walked alone and offers itself as a companion in your journey towards understanding and acceptance.Pick up "Through Grief's Tender Heart" when you need to feel understood in your loss, when you seek a companion in your journey of grief. Let it be a source of comfort and a reminder that even amidst sorrow, there is room for hope and moments where joy and sadness can coexist.One Grieving Heart"Through Grief's Tender Heart" is not just a book about loss; it's a friend that walks with you through the darkness of grief, holding a light to the paths that lead to healing and understanding.Our individual stories may be different, filled with unique experiences and emotions, but they all lead us to the same place -to a recognition of what it means to be human, to love, and to lose.Companionship in SolitudeFor those moments when grief feels isolating, this book acts as a companion, reminding you that your feelings are valid, shared, and understood.Each chapter provides insights into different aspects of grief, from the initial shock to the gradual acceptance and the eventual transformation. This progression might mirror your own journey, offering a sense of companionship and understanding.Tools for Healing and GrowthThis book is more than a narrative; it's a resource. As you move through the chapters, you'll find tools and perspectives that can aid in your healing process, helping you to find strength in your vulnerability and growth in your pain.Empowering in its approach, the book guides you in shaping a new normal. It helps you honor your past loss while embracing the possibilities of the future.Deep Emotional ResonanceIf you've experienced loss, this book speaks directly to your heart. Julia's honest portrayal of grief resonates on a deeply personal level, offering validation and comfort.The poetic language and evocative imagery offer a literary embrace, providing comfort in moments when words are hard to find.

Spring break promises 12-year-old Emily Hanford a long-awaited vacation, basking in the sun on Cancun's white beaches. But a global pandemic sweeps away her holiday dream and surges into her daily reality. Waves of change overwhelm her, especially as Dad's remarriage looms. How can Emily live in the same house as an unpopular boy in her class? Isolated from her other classmates, will Emily find her truest friend?

It Depends: Writing on Technology Leadership 2012-2022, a collection of essays and articles by technology executive Kevin Goldsmith, is a must-read for current or aspiring engineering managers, directors, and senior technology executives. With over thirty years of experience in leadership roles at industry-leading technology companies like IBM, Silicon Graphics, Microsoft, and Adobe, as well as early-stage startups and unicorns like Spotify, Avvo, Anaconda, and DistroKid, Goldsmith shares his knowledge about leading technology teams and larger organizations in this book.The book covers a range of topics, including creating a culture of experimentation and innovation, managing day-to-day, career development as a technology leader, team building, and practical advice for handling the requirements of the engineering manager role. Goldsmith acknowledges that the context is different in every company and for every person, and he shares his wisdom to help leaders form solutions that make sense for their company, team, and themselves.What sets Goldsmith's writing apart is his ability to provide practical advice and insights that few companies adequately train their managers on. He also offers guidance on how to move from managing a single team to managing managers, organization structure, building career development frameworks, diversity and inclusion, and hiring. By reading It Depends, you'll gain valuable insights into becoming a more effective leader in the technology industry.

The perfect antidote for Boomer, Millennial, and GenXYZ angst! Ready to rummage through the ridiculousness of our reality? Buckle up for a bumpy ride through the hilarious and thought-provoking absurdities of modern existence, where sanity hangs by a thread, and existential crises are just another day at the office.Enter the world of Rectum Leviticus, an avowed nihilist. His name and unusual backstory propelled him to adopt an approach to life best characterized as, "I don't care because nothing really matters." This attitude has served him exceedingly well. His nihilism, paired with his astute observational skills, give him an edge in navigating all the challenges of modern life. Rectum shares his wisdom in The Nihilist's Pocket Survival Guide to Modern Society.Tungyn Cheque blends the humor of late-night comedy shows and cartoon favorites like The Simpsons, the absurdity and wit of Douglas Adams, Dave Barry, and Jerry Seinfeld (with a splash of Monty Python) into an intoxicating cocktail of humorous light-hearted criticism of the times we live in.This handbook is a must read for anyone trying to figure out and negotiate the landscape of work, home, family relationships, debt, dating and all that modern life offers. How best to tackle these challenges? The nihilist offers readers his well-honed suggestion

Abba's Daughters: Everyday Women, Extraordinary God Discover the inspiring journey of faith in "Abba's Daughters: Everyday Women, Extraordinary God." This anthology features 14 courageous women, sharing personal testimonies of God's faithfulness in their lives and their connection to women from the Bible.Within the pages of this book, you will find the vulnerable and heartfelt accounts of these women, who witnessed God's miraculous presence. Experience Rahab's act of faith, reminding us that God's redemptive power knows no bounds. See Hannah's sincere prayers answered, showing us that God hears our heart's cries. Learn from Leah's perseverance in the face of adversity. Draw inspiration from Sarah's doubt turning into joy when God fulfilled His promise. Find hope in Lot's Wife's story, knowing God's mercy endures forever. Relate to Hagar's experiences of exploitation and deliverance, realizing that God sees and cares for society's outcasts. Marvel at Tamar's unwavering pursuit of justice, knowing God defends the oppressed. Connect with Martha's desire to serve Jesus, learning to choose what He treasures most. Be amazed by Abigail's unwavering commitment and decisive actions in protecting her household from her husband's foolishness. Allow the courageous daughters of Zelophehad to inspire you to boldly ask God for your inheritance. Also, find inspiration in the New Testament women like Mary, Samaritan woman, and the woman with the issue of blood, who displayed dedication, spread the good news, and experienced miraculous healing.While these women's struggles may mirror your own, their stories point to an unwavering God who remains constant throughout time. These testimonies bear witness to the truth that, in any era, God uses the lives of everyday women to accomplish extraordinary things. Though times change, God's character remains faithful.Contributing Authors:Rashaunda MarieQueen Cole Yasu (Foreword)Adeyinka KilaniDanielle HallDoroeathea J. BeachDr. Esther NnadiJae Vonne StewartLaToya BilboLaKesha McKieLeyla Lumie¿reMelinda HunterMisty SwancyRenesha HolmesSusan Gladstein

Inspirational Coloring Book Features Adorable Hand Drawn Inspiring Quotes to Uplift Your Body, Mind, and Spirit. Best Positive Affirmations for Stress Relief and Relaxation. Perfect Gift for All Ages.Inspiration quotes include: You're so strong, All things are possible, Every day is a second chance, Your only limit is you, Follow your heart, Laugh daily, Focus on the good, Stay strong, Stay claim, Make today amazing, Good things are going to happen, I trust you, You are so loved, Stay Positive, Be strong - Believe in yourself, Stronger together, Life is beautiful, Be kind, I believe in you...... and many more. You're going to love this amazing book! Inspirational Coloring Book Features:· 45 Unique hand drawn illustration designs.· Large sized 8.5" X 10.5" inches.· Printed on one side to prevent bleed-through and make it easy to frame.· High quality glossy cover.· High resolution graphic printed on white paper.· Inspirational quotes on each page to encourage and motivate kids, teens, and adults.· Great gift for friends and loved ones to inspire others.· Best for relaxation and stress relieving.· Perfect for all coloring skill levels. ¿¿

What if the worst thing that has happened to you was meant for more than just...pain?While being a private investigator has its own set of issues, loss can cloud your judgment without you even realizing it. Just when I thought I could move forward from the past, the blackouts from my childhood return. Needing something to focus on, I strive to put all my efforts, reluctantly into my new case. Which happens to be a church; the one place I swore off years ago. My original aim is to just suppress my feelings like I usually do. But as this case unfolds, I'm finding my old methods just won't work this time. While peeling back the layers of my investigation, I find that God is doing the same in me. Well, here goes nothing.

Birdie is a soft spoken and quiet natured woman whose tumultuous life has led her to crave only things that bring her peace. She leaves behind her past in search of this serenity, finding friends that feel more like home than any she's ever known. Milo has a gentle soul that's been hardened by the tragedies of life, forced to carry out the crimes of his uncle's "business". He has a plan to disappear and he can't let anything get in his way.But when the two of them come together, all their carefully laid out plans are thrown to the wind. Cool nature turns into heated passion and when secrets come to light, it seems that neither of them can have the futures they want -- that they need -- and still be together.

What Made That Feel So Hard? is the foundational book for the Unstacking Method - a methodology based on The Grief Tower by Lauren Wells that has been used by coaches, counselors, and in professional certifications worldwide to help adults and children to work through past and current grief. This book offers an easy-to-read, gentle approach to looking back on the hardships of your past and seeing how those have influenced your present. Through personal anecdotes and stories, Lauren guides you through the process of unstacking so that you can move forward in healthier ways. This book is written to individuals as well as practitioners desiring to use the Unstacking Method in professional or informal settings.

A fantasy story about an old New England Inn cared for by Aunt Edie. The story asks about horses and even George Washington. Secret codes are used to tell visitors the Inn was safe. George and his horse stay at the Inn and Mr. Washington even come down the stairs on the horses back.

Romantic & sexy dreams link a false princess to a dangerous, disgraced fae prince in this fun, steamy enemies-to-lovers romantasy.In her dreams, he envelops her in love. In real life, he imprisons her in ice. Assassin, liar, impersonator-dreamer. As a royal decoy, trained to replace the Krastel princess even in a political marriage, Astra's life is not her own. With a duty like that, how can she dream about love?And yet she knows she has a kindred soul. She can feel his presence every night, holding her in his arms, surrounding her with his warmth.But ice-cold reality crashes in when Astra's carriage is attacked by the Crystal Court's disgraced prince. Banished for heinous crimes and armed with powerful relics, he's a wielder of mighty magic and can even infiltrate minds.It turns out that he is the man in her dreams.And this is about to get very, very awkward. A Cursed Son is a fun, sexy, enemies-to-lovers romantic fantasy for fans of fae, elemental magic, arranged marriage, forced proximity, snarky banter, and dream connection.

The Curse of Seltemver is one of the oldest children's stories in all of Lythinall, dating back as far as the first elven cities. Karsis found a hidden copy of the long lost book, its pages all out of order and bound in string. Yet, as he reads it to his grandchildren, the stories he read when he was younger take on a whole new perspective, shocking him to his core.Come explore the world surrounding Lythinall with a brave cast of misfits and heroes as they traverse the many worlds on thier cursed quest to find their way home again

From road trips to isolated cabins, business partners to longtime besties, longstanding crushes to new revelations, former bosses to dad's best friend-delve into nine contemporary romances where friendship changes course. SOMETHING SOFTER: Hal Preston isn't normally one to run from his problems, but a solitary mountain retreat might be just what he needs to stop obsessing over his dad's best friend. There's no chance Wayne Merrick shares his fascination, and Hal's spent years hiding his intractable heart. But when Wayne arrives unexpectedly at his cabin, Hal aches to bare his heart after all.WISHFUL THINKING: Kimiko has powerful feelings about leaving her barista job to focus on school. Or maybe she just has powerful feelings for coffee shop owner Nyla Prince. But Nyla isn't her boss anymore, and Kimiko's not sure how to navigate this unfamiliar terrain.VERY CLOSE AND ALL AT ONCE: Noel Vane hates being the center of attention. He'd rather celebrate his fiftieth birthday with a quiet gathering at home, not a fancy gala arranged by his clueless but well-meaning best friend. Thank goodness for Jace DaSilva: his best friend's brother and Noel's gallant rescuer for the evening. But something is different between them tonight. The rules have changed, and Noel's just trying to keep up.JUST ABOUT PERFECT: May Moretti screwed up. Even worse, after a month of clumsy radio silence, she still has no idea how to apologize for kissing Clio Garcia. Clio is older and wiser, a longtime family friend, and she clearly doesn't share May's hopeless infatuation. When their paths cross at a noisy party, there's no avoiding their unfinished business. But May has already made a perfect mess of things, and she has no idea where to start.RUNNING HOT: Kurt Trench and his sister Lena make a good team, running the auto shop they inherited from their dad. Lately Shane Dolan-loyal customer and cheerful gearhead-has been coming by the garage all the time. Shane isn't the first guy to hang around mooning over Lena. The fact that Kurt is drawn to Shane shouldn't matter. Even if the feeling were mutual, he won't steal Lena's boyfriend. But watching the two grow close is torture, and Kurt can't seem to rein in his jealous heart.ANTICIPATION: Jason may be a lot of things (stubborn, arrogant, occasionally oblivious), but he's got no delusions about his hopeless and long-secret infatuation with his best friend. The night he tells Max the truth, Jason worries his confession will ruin everything.MATTERS OF HEART: In the past twenty years, Marco Spinelli has turned Spinelli Medical Technologies into an international powerhouse. But he hasn't done it alone. Adam is Marco's best friend, his business partner, and the genius behind their wildly profitable ventures. Marco can't imagine life without Adam at his side, exactly like this-until a gala and an unexpected encounter make him crave something more. Now he needs to sort through his own feelings, before a misunderstanding destroys the most important friendship of his life.RIGHT HERE WITH ME: Amaia Campos has landed a full ride scholarship to her dream school. There's only one problem: college means moving across the country, two thousand miles from the best friend she's secretly in love with. A road trip is either exactly what they need or a total disaster. Faced with three days on the road, Jessa and Amaia have one last chance to get this right before everything changes forever.PUT IT IN WRITING: A hopeless crush is nothing to be ashamed of, or so Lane tells himself. Jordan is steady, kind, confident, and effortlessly charming. In other words, they're everything Lane isn't and everything he can't help wanting. When his roommate suggests writing a love letter, Lane balks at first. But maybe it's not such a bad idea. So long as Jordan doesn't see the letter, everything should be fine.

The Whisker Gang, led by Polly and her crew, teach Jax the importance of never giving up! When times get tough or a task seems too difficult to complete, the Whisker Gang teaches young readers that we have everything we need within us to achieve our goals and overcome any obstacles in our way if we just keep trying and believing in ourselves.

S'il pleut dehors et que tu ne sais pas quoi faire,il est temps de sauter comme un kangourou!Dans ce livre d'images les enfants sauteront comme un kangourou et s'amuseront beaucoup !Autres livres en français dans cette série :SAUTE ET BUZZ COMME UNE ABEILLE!SAUTEZ ET DITES P.U.!SAUTEZ ET DITES DA-DO-DO-DO!SAUTEZ ET CRIE COMME UN CACATOÈS !SAUTE ET DITES BOO!

This book is cursed. It always ends the same way.Bookseller Annie Maddox has stumbled upon the find of a lifetime. A rare book, one of one, and worth big bucks. An interactive gamebook, written by a reclusive author, before his untimely and gruesome death. After a terrible tragedy, Annie discovers the truth.This book is cursed. Choose the wrong path, and it kills you.Annie digs into the history of the book, and into its secrets. Because inside that curse is a tantalizing promise, one that can undo all its bloodshed.Read the book, choose the right path, and reverse the horror.Can Annie find her way through the book? Or will she be cut down by its curse?

Anyone can make cheese...Making home dairy products was an essential skill in the past, and a skill that continues to create resilience, reduce food costs, and provide healthy food in the face of supply disruptions and uncertainty.Wherever you are, you can make delicious cheeses in your home kitchen, starting with just one litre (one quart) of milk, and less time than you may think, with recipes and techniques that can be scaled up or down. Natural Small Batch Cheesemaking is perfect for homesteaders, farmers, and anyone who appreciates good cheese.Topics covered include:¿Milk: Working with different types of milk and seasonal conditions, best practises for storing and handling milk.¿Rennet: Homemade rennet recipes, plus how to source and work with high quality purchased rennet.¿Homemade cheese cultures.¿Budget-friendly cheesemaking equipment: Getting started with gear you already have, making your own equipment, pressing cheese without a cheese press, and how to achieve great results at home.¿Cheesemaking in detail: All the steps of cheesemaking explained, both the "why" and the "how", learn to change recipes around to suit your lifestyle and tastes and make your own unique cheeses.¿Aging cheeses - how to age cheeses at home, on or off the grid.¿How to use leftover whey.¿Easy-to-follow recipes for small batch cheeses, plus other dairy products including yoghurt, kefir, sour cream, butter, and ice cream.¿Troubleshooting: What to do when things don't go according to plan.¿Cheesemaking for survival and self-reliance: Techniques for making dairy self-sufficiency more flexible, adaptable, affordable, and achievable, from a successful off-grid cheesemaker."For those who have wanted to make cheese at home but didn't know where to start, this book is for you. From rennet to cultures to equipment, Kate Downham supplies you with everything you need to know to make outstanding natural cheese!"Sally Fallon Morell, president, The Weston A. Price Foundation and cheesemaker, P A Bowen Farmstead "This is precisely the cheesemaking book I wish had existed when I started my cheesemaking journey years ago. Most books just give you a quick list of steps, with no real instruction, and it always leaves you wondering, why? Kate starts with the "whys" of cheesemaking, explaining each step and its purpose right from the start, giving you a solid cheesemaking foundation before diving into recipes." Ashley Adamant, Practical Self Reliance

It's the height of the Roaring Twenties, and the Clio, probably the most expensive steam-yacht in the world, heads down the Amazon. On board is the widowed Lady Oswestry (whose main concern is to acquire her favourite face-cream, so as not to have awkward wrinkles appear just when she's fixing her sights on Sir James Annesley), her younger son Hugo (on the verge of entering politics, and wondering which of the young ladies on board he should fall in love with), and her seemingly good-for-nothing but capable-of-anything older son Harry. Along with a number of gentlemen and young ladies, including a doctor, a professor who has studied the wildlife of the area, and the politically astute Stella Barlow, the cruise seems a pleasant chance to see interesting new sights and perhaps fall in love.But when news arrives that revolution has broken out in the region, it becomes evident Harry didn't opt for this particular destination on a whim. And when a manoeuvre to avoid a floating mine grounds the Clio, these idle holidaymakers find themselves faced with fever, encounters with deadly wildlife, news of the revolution happening all around them, and the sheer boredom of being grounded, leading them to question just what they are doing with their lives.By turns comic, dramatic, political and introspective, L H Myers' second novel is both a criticism of the idle classes who see themselves as separate from a world that is at times in desperate straits, as well as a light comic look at love, hopes, dreams, and the encounter with sometimes awkward realities.

The first English language translation from the French of Jean Jaurès' Discours à la jeunesse (1903). In giving this speech, Jaurès returns to the high school where he had taught philosophy, instructing the young audience that peace is possible for future generations, but not through war or military force. Foreword by Gilles Candar, president of La société d'études jaurésiennes.While best known as the early twentieth-century leader of the French Socialist Party, and as the founder of the newspaper L'Humanité, Jaurès (1859-1914) was also a lecturer in philosophy at the University of Toulouse, and an influential historian of the French Revolution. A dedicated antimilitarist, Jaurès was assassinated while working to prevent the outbreak of the First World War.

Bee Bloom is a respected modern leader who wholeheartedly believes in kindness. So when a conniving new chairman arrives at the company where she is CEO, she has a fight on her hands. Lucy Love, once a vivacious TV presenter, now finds herself a depressed, binge-drinking suburban wife. To make matters worse, her husband is facing accusations of harassment.Rosie Reid has earned a reputation as Sydney's "fixer," skilfully managing crises through her successful PR firm. However, she's growing increasingly tired of covering up for her misbehaving clients.When their worlds intertwine, the trio forge a pact to support one another. But as their dilemmas intensify, there is one looming question: can they throw the knockout punch and bring down the scheming, controlling men in their lives?High Heels and Low Blows is Jill Valentine's debut novel which also delves into themes of self-worth, identity, and friendship. With unforgettable characters, dramatic twists and sassy comedy, it is a story that is highly relatable to the modern woman and will leave you asking - which of these fabulous females do I admire the most?

Estella Miele is running. Running from the death of her parents and twin brother. She's sprinting and stumbling from the guilt that chases her over causing the accident. A failed fastpitch star she tracks across the country she moves in with her best friend Zoey and tries to find peace by throwing herself into her studies. If she can keep her head down and finish her last year of school then she can separate the old Ella, and the new. But Harbor University has other plans for her. Silas Shore hires her as the medical team's intern and thrusts her into the world of Hornets baseball without hesitation.Captain Arlo King is a legacy all-star pitcher with a bad attitude and a dark past. A tangled history with his brother threatens to unravel everything. But he sets his sights on winning it all; he doesn't have time to be anything but focused. His team is falling apart, and his championship slipping through his fingers. When Ella barrels into his life he's unsure of how to stop her from unraveling everything he's ever known. She's sweet, caring and broken in ways he could never understand. Slowly his priorities shift, opening his eyes to something other than baseball and his tortured past.

Sometimes generally referred to as "the nones," agnostics, atheists, humanists, freethinkers, secularists and skeptics compose one of the fastest growing faith categories in the United States. Because they are treated as "nones," some people face discrimination as nonbelievers, despite their varied and strong beliefs, values and morals. This basic guide, "100 Questions and Answers About the Religiously Unaffiliated," describes the differences, explains why discrimination and laws force some to hide their beliefs and why they would like to shed the label of "nones." Religious freedom and the First Amendment's establishment clause come up frequently.The key issue for many is whether the First Amendment's guarantee of religious freedom also guarantees the right to be free from religion.Legal issues include school prayer, the obligation to support tax-exempt religious properties and requirements that people profess belief in God to be allowed to vote or hold office.Life magazine called Madalyn Murray O'Hair, whose lawsuit ended mandatory prayer in public schools, "the most hated woman in America." The Secular Coalition for America's website directory withheld the name of its communications consultant because "unwarranted prejudices and discriminatory practices ... affect atheists and humanists. Consequently, s/he felt it was best to be incognito for now, since working for an organization that protects the rights of nontheists might result in lost opportunities with other clients."In this guide's forward, Dr. Phil Zuckerman writes, "Understanding secular people is important for many reasons. For one thing, secular movements, leaders, values and ideals play significant roles in the political landscapes of the world. From the first sentence of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, to Article 20 of Japan's Constitution, from France's laïcité to Vietnam's atheistic dictatorship, and from the founding of the Mexican Republic to India's current political struggles, in many countries secularism is a central pillar of both stability as well as conflict."Additionally, secular men and women are often unjustly stigmatized as immoral scoundrels or angry curmudgeons - negative stereotypes that don't actually accord with reality yet prove to be both persistent and pernicious. For instance, in some societies, such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Malaysia, hatred and fear of the secular is so strong that those who don't believe in God can be imprisoned, tortured or even executed. Here in the United States, many state constitutions - such as those of Tennessee, Texas and Mississippi - currently outlaw anyone who doesn't believe in God from holding any publicly elected office."Dr. Morgan Shipley's introduction says, "For the more than 85 million Americans who identify as nonreligious, we witness a turn to secularization as both an explanation for the lack of belief and a source for fulfilling the areas of life commonly associated with religion, such as morality, togetherness and agency. For the nonreligious, then, we find more than a rejection of God and faith. Instead, we uncover various ways humans highlight virtue, pursue a sense of belongingness, celebrate progress and rely on rational discourse to construct meaningful and morally driven lives." Questions include:Who are "the nones?"Who is under the umbrella of the nonreligious?What is an atheist?Who are agnostics?What is secularism? Who are humanists?Who are freethinkers?What is irreligion?Are Pagans and Wiccans nonreligious?What does it mean to be spiritual but not religious?What values do nonreligious people hold? How does one respectfully console a nonreligious person?Do nonreligious people pray?

Four friends set out to fix their crumbling, magical world in the exciting fantasy-adventure sequel to The Fabric of Reality.There's a disturbance in the Prime Kingdoms. The system that everyone depends on is generating errors. The gods are in danger. Magic itself is fluctuating and becoming less reliable. Meanwhile, four adventurers seem to be the only ones to realize the night sky shouldn't be empty . . .Outcasts all, this foursome has become a family. They are Sev, a healer with a penchant for sacrificing too much; Misa, a half-orc woman never afraid of a fight; Vex, a lizardkin wizard grappling with his feelings for one of his teammates; and Derivan, a sentient suit of armor who's learning to deal with, well, feelings in general. Together, they are on a diplomatic mission for their guild, traveling to the kingdom of Elyra to provide emergency relief as magic continues to malfunction and crops fail to grow.But while this team can hold their own in battle against bandits or simple dungeon monsters, the complex mysteries their realm continues to throw at them are another matter. For now, all they can do is try to make the world a better place. And that's exactly what they plan to do-until they arrive in the town of Fendal and everything there seems just a little too perfect . . .