An alien spaceship touches down in the sage brush near a small mountain town – or does it? It might be a message from Heaven, a futuristic weapons test, Federal surveillance, or just a prank. The town's resident fundamentalist secular humanist thinks he can solve the problem, between changing diapers, visiting his ex-mistress, and trying to come to terms with his own mortality.An alien spaceship touches down in the sage brush near a small mountain town – or does it? Some in the town of Mildred think the spooky apparition is a message from Heaven, a futuristic weapons test, or maybe just a prank. In the view of the town's resident fundamentalist secular humanist, the town has gone nuts, and it's his duty to hold back the flood of crazy ideas while simultaneously changing diapers, visiting his ex-mistress, and tending to his dying cat. Not to mention that's he's recently begun to believe in his own mortality...

When the dead rose, all hope seemed lost. But Jared Stone has a plan. Escape from Nashville with his friends and head to the plateau, that’s the easy part. Along the way they rescue a group of children, trapped in a school. Determined to survive and protect the children, Jared and company will do anything. But the Dark, isn’t done with them and the dead are not its only weapon, it has its own servants in the world of man and one of them is determined to destroy the growing group of survivors and the children they protect.

A short but comprehensive look at where powwow dancing comes from and where it seems to be going.Article that looks at powwow's origins early last century, how powwow dancing has evolved, and where it seems to be headed.

Requiem. In this flashback story set in 1973, Isis is called to the Theta House by her sorority sisters who want her to step down from her leadership role the Senior Grand Mother. With her mortal alias Andrea Robinson being 98-years-old,and Isis being immortal, they fear that if she continues on with the organization her secret may be revealed, and their mission compromised in the Black community.Requiem. In this flashback story set in 1973, Isis is called to the Theta House by her sorority sisters who want her to step down from her leadership role the Senior Grand Mother. With her mortal alias Andrea Robinson being 98-years-old,and Isis being immortal, they fear that if she continues on with the organization her secret may be revealed, and their mission compromised in the Black community.Coming to terms with her aging secret identity, Isis realizes that she has to start making plans to get her human affairs in order. As she lays down her life of her alias in the mortal world for her friends, Isis comes to realize that she has to have faith in the women she taught to build on the foundation she established and pass it on to the next generation of Theta sisters

This is the story of a unique yet beautiful friendship between a little Polish girl and her pet cow. The two form a special bond and become inseparable until the little girl's family is forced to flee Poland as World War II is set to begin. Johanna must leave her farm and her pet cow behind.Johanna is the 2nd youngest of 8 children living on a farm in rural Poland in the 1930s. She loves animals but due to her family's financial constraints, she has never been allowed to have a pet. She forms an unlikely friendship with a small cow on the farm and soon the two become inseparable. On the verge of World War II, Johanna and her family must flee Poland and their farm to seek refuge in Canada. Brokenhearted, Johanna is left to deal with life in a new country and wondering about the fate of her best friend.

In this stunning follow-up to his epic fantasy debut, Alan Campbell propels readers into a captivating city battling for its own survival—and that of humankind—in a world of deities and demons, fallen angels and killers.** **After a destructive battle, the ancient swaying city of Deepgate has been overtaken. Most of the chains that suspend it have given way, toxic fumes are emanating from blazing structures, and the temple once inhabited by the ruling Presbyter now dangles upside down above the once-uncharted abyss. The victorious Spine have initiated martial law and are ruthlessly pursuing all who attempt to leave. Amid the turmoil, two captives are returned. Arriving by ship are the young angel Dill, now toughened by war, and traitor assassin Rachel Hael. Incarcerated in the slowly crumbling temple, the two await their fate, while from the abyss beneath them ghosts rise—for the death of the god Ulcis has left open the gates to Hell. But on orders from his divine brethren, Cospinol, the god of brine and fog, is traveling the world to Deepgate to seal this breach. His great skyship is being dragged through the air by the giant John Anchor, a monster of a man enslaved to pull the god’s vessel, moving slowly, inevitably, toward the city. As the city waits, teetering on the brink, myriad plans for vengeance are set in motion, from the continent of Pandemeria to Heaven itself. Among them is a ghostly archon sent to deliver a message to the gods on earth—using Dill as his vessel. Thrust from his body, Dill’s own soul returns to Hell. When Dill and Rachel are attacked by Spine assassins, Rachel has no choice but to try to escape with the creature that calls itself Dill…and to somehow find a way to restore her friend’s soul before it’s too late. For powerful forces are stirring, and in the coming battle between gods, it is the world of men that is at stake. From the Hardcover edition.

This is the beginning of the story of Carly who after her parents' deaths goes in search of her grandfather.What could have caused the dragons to decide they are tired of being pushed around by lesser beings? For the first time they've chosen to spread their wings and have taken over the second largest city in the Dwarven kingdom. Join with the Magical Seven as they react to this revolt.More than any other time in their history the Dwarves need heroes, a crazy inventor and his family are the ones who step up to the challenge. Dr. Kilgen is a Dwarf on a mission. Since the dragons attacked his village he has spent every minute that he isn’t saving Dwarves at the hospital inventing steam powered machines of mass dragon destruction.Can the Dwarven Dragon Hunters of THE DIRGE and the Magical Seven put down the dragon uprising and reclaim their fallen city? Or will the dragon's fire ultimately leave their inventions in a cloud of smoke?

While conducting a field problem, Andre, an enlisted soldier, fall in love with 2nd Lieutenant Taylor Coles. Both are in committed relationships and unsuccessfully try to keep their love from getting out of hand. However, once they learn that there will be a 30 day training event; they try to pursue a relationship while keeping it under wraps.Bob has led a structured, exemplary life…until his hidden obsession finally boils over, forcing him to find the answer no matter where the ultimate truth leads. Estimated reading time - ten minutes.

A short story set on Hirta, an island in the archipelago of St Kilda, Scotland.Part one of a trilogy of short stories about St Kilda.Five talented teenage girls have beaten out the toughest competition on the television show, "America's Best Band" and are facing the semi-finals. Their rock band, Nightingale, has won every week since they started the competition, but will their luck hold? Throughout it all, the girls still manage to have fun and find a little romance. But someone is out to sabotage their chances of winning. Will the final round end up in disaster or victory?

Naomi, at twenty six has had enough of men mistreating her and applies to be a Jillaroo in outback Australia. She falls in love with a cowboy. They make a bet. From the city of Melbourne to a fast flowing river where Trent has to save Naomi from drowning, love germinates in a storm. Will Naomi save the cattle station from bankrupcy? Can Trent save Naomi from her obssesive ex-boyfriend, Brandt?Naomi is a young woman who has had one bad relationship after another. She decides to find a temporary job and is accepted as a jillaroo on a cattle station in outback Australia. She falls in love with a cowboy. She wants to help save the station from bankrupcy. Her hero cowboy has to save her from her exboyfriend. To win her heart he needs to unravel what the perfect gift is. Some novels are available in print at amazon create space

If you had the ability to get what you wanted what would you ask for? Money? Power? Strength? Or something more dangerous?An office worker in Purgatory seeks consolation and hope by sending himself postcards and email messages from an imaginary holiday destination. When discovered, he is sent there.… When he got home that evening there was a beautiful sunlit holiday postcard in his letterbox, addressed to him and signed Williby. It was a breathless and ecstatic message describing unimaginable tropical delights and so looking forward to seeing him soon. It brought tears of longing to his eyes so sharp that they glittered like crystals on his cheek. They cracked and shattered when he wiped them away, but the promise shone within him like stars.Williby sighed and closed his eyes but when he opened them again he was still there…Sorrow is a free story from The World Is Round, available now.A great philosopher's masterwork is unravelled by a duck, an influential talk show host begins executing his guests, and a baby enchants a murderous African dictator in this collection of seventeen short stories. A work of poignant satire and extraordinary imagination, The World Is Round is always weird, sometimes bleak, and frequently hilarious.

This poetry has been written during strong emotional times. These poems are how I interpret my feelings. They have to do with love, loss abuse. nature and more.This is a short fictional story, inspired by thinking about the words supposition and speculation. Observing people in daily life, recalling snippets of overheard conversations and the comments of strangers enabled me to stitch together a contemporary scenario wherein a woman notices a young male emerging from a public toilet in a park and notes that he looks ill or ill at ease. The woman is somehow moved to feel concern for his welfare. An older man who is known to the woman exits the toilet block immediately after the young male. This sets off a spark of curious imaginings by the woman as to what might have occurred, if anything, between the two men. Plagued by doubt and speculation, the woman begins to observe the older man at his place of work and she questions his character and possible motives.

The study takes a point of departure in explaining how non governmental organisations can adapt and adopt effective corporate governance practices viz- a- viz, how NGOs can adapt and adopt to corporate governance. Several non governmental organizations do not observe good corporate governanceThe collective problem of business today is increasingly attributed to the failure of corporate governance. This means that far too many boards are failing to execute their duties responsibly, both collectively and individually. Despite increasing awareness, there is a general lack of understanding of the principles of effective corporate governance in most quarters.Several non governmental organisations do not observe good corporate governance and this to the collapse of many. There are no set rules that are binding and which establish the ways in which organisations have to govern themselves. Effective governance and accountability begins in one’s organisation, no matter how big or small. This means ensuring that the appropriate processes and structures are in place to direct and manage an organisation’s operations and activities, and to ensure the effectiveness, credibility and viability of the organisation. Increasingly, revelations of deterioration, in quality and transparency have called for the adoption of internationally accepted best practices. Corporate governance encompasses commitment to values and to ethical business conduct to maximize shareholders values on a sustainable basis, while ensuring fairness to all stakeholders including customers or beneficiaries, employees and investors. The harsh economic conditions that prevailed in the country since 2007 have given non governmental organisation a difficult time that required them to have good corporate governance practices.

Tom Angleberger's latest, loopiest middle-grade novel begins when M'Lady Luggertuck loosens her corset (it's never been loosened before!), thereby setting off a chain of events in which all the strict rules of Smugwick Manor are abandoned. When, as a result of "the Loosening," the precious family heirloom, the Luggertuck Lump (quite literally a lump), goes missing, the Luggertucks look for someone to blame. Is it Horton Halfpott, the good-natured but lowly kitchen boy who can't tell a lie? Or one of the many colorful cast members in this silly romp of a mystery.

The Questionable is Queen Victoria's favorite airship, and for good reason. Posh, exclusive, noble: the ship is everything a rich passenger should desire. But as these five Steampunk stories show, not everything is peaceful up in the clouds.Readers of Sidney Sheldon, Danielle Steel and Nora Roberts will enjoy this book. 5 STARS! “Forbidden takes us on an emotional roller coaster which the reader will ride quickly to the end, as this book is impossible to put down.” - Rhoda D'Ettore, Author5 STARS! “A total page turner that grips at your heart strings.” - Gayle Pace, Book Reviewer5 STARS! “I loved it! I was so drawn in from the first page…so romantic…and perfect.” - A. P. Bullard, Triskele Reviews5 STARS! “A gripping and quick read. A weekend page turner.” - Review Girl5 STARS! "Forbidden" is an intelligent and well-crafted masterpiece that thoroughly deserves five stars indeed!” - Adisha KariyawasamBOOK DESCRIPTIONWhen Lady Eleanor Sotheby unexpectedly enters the life of Jayne Clark, a 23-year old waitress from Wichita, Kansas, Jayne's world is turned upside down. Not only is she welcomed into a family that she never knew, but she is thrust headlong into the highest strata of European society. Nothing is too grand in the fairy tale lives of the uber-rich--the spectacular seaside villas, the sleek, chauffeured limousines, the outrageously expensive designer clothes. When Jayne plays her part and learns to fit into this new world, she meets Robert Astor, the man of her dreams. But her feelings for Robert are forbidden. Jayne's heady new life begins to unravel into a dark web of deceit, domination and greed...and she ultimately finds herself confronting an evil that truly has no limits.