For all of Sunay's adult life, the Gold Pirates served as a secret police, carefully maintaining the political balance of the world while carefully watching the looming danger of the Void far out to sea. Sunay moves up in the ranks, gaining prestige and fame as the seas begin to learn of the dreaded “Fire Fox.” But when the Void finally moves in on the last sanctuary of the world, it proves to be the least of Sunay's worries. For the Gold Pirates find themselves under attack from all sides...

Life as a foxgirl is never easy, especially in the land of Avalon after the revolution. Scorned by deposed nobles who consider chimeras like her bastards, and by the new republic forces who regard those same children as remnants of the old abusive nobility, it's a day to day struggle just to be able to wake up the next morning. So when fate puts young Sunay out on the open seas beyond the reach of political forces, it opens up an entirely new world to explore... a world that is under siege...

While the road to Kuith is always long, in most years it's not particularly troublesome. But these are not most years. Stories, news, refugees, and a heightened militia presence in the Central Free Provinces all tell of renewed hostilities with the Daynes, tribes from the northern highlands. Pirogoeth is sucked into the conflict, one that quickly escalates beyond the raids from the past. As the situation becomes more dire, Pirogoeth and her allies reach the decision to launch what amounts ...

The first comprehensive resource for teaching spiritual leadership development in the twenty-first century—for all faith traditions.America is changing. Technology, social networking, global economics, immigration, migration and multiculturalism urge communities of faith to expand their vision of spiritual leadership and reflect on how leaders can better serve congregations and communities in the twenty-first century.In this multifaith, cross-cultural and c...

In his popular book, 9 Essential Conversations before You Say I Do, author and pastor Gary Thomas, marriage and family therapist Dr. Steve Wilke and Rebecca Wilke, EdD help couples explore:What marriage means to each individual and whether this is a wise matchHow to engage in essential relational pursuits such as healthy conflict, sexual intimacy, and spiritual intimacyHow to discuss in advance crucial aspects of marriage such as ...

The Blossoming Bookshelf gathers forty-three classic texts into a capacious history of gardening, botany, horticulture, and the cultural imagination of plants. Its range extends from practical manuals on cultivation, soils, orchards, and landscape design to reflective nature writing, botanical inquiry, travel-inflected observation, and accounts of public and domestic gardens. The volume's significance lies in this productive interchange between utility and aesthetics: advice on raising pla...

This issue features three original short stories (mysteries by M.A. Monnin [thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken], and Edd Vick & Manny Frishberg, plus a fantasy story by D J Tyrer), and an original science fiction novel by Thomas A. Easton.Furthering the mystery section, we also have a great tale by John M. Floyd (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman) a classic novel by William J. Burns & Isabel Ostrander, and a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles.Rounding ...

Imperial life is quite the culture shock when coming from a backwater farming community, but when Pirogoeth's magical talents catch the attention of one of the world's most powerful mages, she is sent off to the city and keep in Kartage to refine her talents.Under the tutelage of Socrato, Pirogoeth goes from village outcast to promising apprentice within one of the most advanced cities on the continent.Making friends, learning and shaping new powers, discovering a wider wor...

The Great Underground Empire of Quan'Dor had been spoken of in hushed whispers by the people of the Free Provinces for generations. Untold riches and wonder awaited those who could brave the dark depths, relics from an era before record by people who could shape the very world itself to suit their desires.For Pirogoeth, it's not wealth or fame, but necessity, that drives her and her adventuring party into the underground; seeking a path behind the massive Daynish armies where she h...

Largo lived a life that most Reahtans only dream of; of wealth, fame, and a never-ending stream of battles in the arena. For years, that was enough for him, as it would be for any citizen of the great empire.But then duty calls him to a greater task outside of gladiatorial combat, to the farthest reaches of Reahtan influence, and the enigmatic archmage that served as the biggest thorn in the Empire's side. Within Dominus Augustus's tower, Largo discovers the start of a much larger ...

With 50% new material reflecting current research and pedagogical perspectives, this indispensable course text and teacher resource is now in a thoroughly revised third edition. Leading educators provide a comprehensive picture of reading, writing, and oral language instruction in grades 5–12. Chapters present effective practices for motivating adolescent learners, fostering comprehension of multiple types of texts, developing disciplinary literacies, engaging and celebrat...

This successful guide--now in a revised and expanded second edition--gives teachers effective strategies to support adolescents' development of relevant literacy skills in specific disciplines. Demonstrating why disciplinary literacies matter, the authors discuss ways to teach close reading of complex texts; discipline-specific argumentation, communication, and writing skills; academic vocabulary; and more. The book draws on revealing interviews with content-area experts a...