Evening Clouds


Book Description

A masterpiece of quiet lyricism set against a backdrop of change and renewal in suburban Tokyo. The most celebrated work by one of Japan's master literary stylists, Evening Clouds is a book filled with delicate images of ordinary life, richly and precisely observed. A family moves into a new home on a windswept hilltop in western Tokyo. Around them are forests and farms. But the developers are coming, and the children are growing up. There are meals, quandaries, conversations...Life appears comfortable and serene, yet Shōno's portrayal has a strange and evocative undercurrent, as the most minute details slowly resonate out through a universe that is changing and unforgiving. Evening Clouds combines the crafted naturalism of haiku with the Ozu-like clarity of film to produce a story that is wistful and real. Read Shōno slowly, a luxuriate in his vision.




Lake in the Clouds


Book Description

In her extraordinary novels Into the Wilderness and Dawn on a Distant Shore, award-winning writer Sara Donati deftly captured the vast, untamed wilderness of late-eighteenth-century New York and the trials and triumphs of the Bonner family. Now Donati takes on a new and often overlooked chapter in our nation’s past--and in the life of the spirited Bonners--as their oldest daughter, the brave and beautiful Hannah, comes of age with a challenge that will change her forever. Masterfully told, this passionate story is a moving tribute to a resilient, adventurous family and a people poised at the brink of a new century. It is the spring of 1802, and the village of Paradise is still reeling from the typhoid epidemic of the previous summer. Elizabeth and Nathaniel Bonner have lost their two-year-old son, Hannah’s half brother Robbie, but they struggle on as always: the men in the forests, the twins Lily and Daniel in Elizabeth’s school, and Hannah as a doctor in training, apprenticed to Richard Todd. Hannah is descended from healers on both sides--one Scots grandmother and one Mohawk--and her reputation as a skilled healer in her own right is growing. After a long night spent attending to a birth, Elizabeth and Hannah encounter an escaped slave hiding on the mountain. She calls herself Selah Voyager, and she is looking for Curiosity Freeman--a former slave herself, one of the village’s wisest women and Elizabeth’s closest friend. The Bonners take Selah, desperately ill, to Lake in the Clouds to care for her, and with that simple act they are drawn into the secret life that Curiosity and Galileo Freeman and their grown children have been leading for almost ten years. The Bonners will do what they must to protect the Freemans, just as Hannah will protect her patient, who presents more than one kind of challenge. For a bounty hunter is afoot--Hannah’s childhood friend and first love, Liam Kirby. While Elizabeth and Nathaniel undertake a treacherous journey through the endless forests to bring Selah to safety in the north, Hannah embarks on a very different journey to New-York City, with two goals: to learn the secrets of vaccination against smallpox, a disease that threatens Paradise, and to find out what she can about Liam’s immediate past and what caused him to change so drastically from the boy she once loved. The obstacles she faces as a woman and a Mohawk make her confront questions long avoided about her place in the world. Those questions follow her back to Paradise, where she finds that the medical miracle she brings with her will not cure prejudice or superstition, nor can it solve the problem of slavery. No sooner have the Bonners begun to rebound from their losses--old and new--than they find themselves confronted by more than one old enemy in a battle that will test the strength of their love for one another. Hannah faces the decision she has always dreaded: will she make a life for herself in a white world, or among her mother’s people?




Balanced on the Blade's Edge


Book Description

Colonel Ridge Zirkander isn’t the model of military professionalism—he has a tendency to say exactly what’s on his mind, and his record has enough demerits to wallpaper the hull of an airship—but as the best fighter pilot in the Iskandian army, he’s used to a little leniency from his superiors. Until he punches the wrong diplomat in the nose and finds himself issued new orders: take command of a remote prison mine in the inhospitable Ice Blades Mountains. Ridge has never been in charge of anything larger than a flier squadron—what’s he supposed to do with a frozen fortress full of murderers and rapists? Not to mention the strange woman who shows up right before he arrives… Sardelle Terushan wakes from three hundred years in a mage stasis shelter, only to realize that she is the last of the Referatu, the sorcerers who once helped protect Iskandia from conquerors. Their subterranean mountain community was blown up in a treacherous sneak attack by soldiers who feared their power. Everyone Sardelle ever knew is dead, and the sentient soulblade she has been bonded to since her youth is buried in the core of the mountain. Further, what remains of her home has been infested by bloodthirsty miners commanded by the descendants of the very soldiers who destroyed her people. Sardelle needs help to reach her soulblade—her only link to her past and her last friend in the world. Her only hope is to pretend she’s one of the prisoners while trying to gain the commander’s trust. But lying isn’t her specialty, especially when the world has changed so much in the intervening centuries, and if Colonel Zirkander figures out who she truly is, he’ll be duty-bound to sentence her to the only acceptable punishment for sorcerers: death.




Into the Clouds: The Race to Climb the World’s Most Dangerous Mountain (Scholastic Focus)


Book Description

A nail-biting tale of survival and brotherhood atop one of the world's most dangerous mountains. This fast-paced, three-part narrative takes readers on three expeditions over 15 years to K2, one of the deadliest mountains on Earth. Roped together, these teams of men face perilously high altitudes and battering storms in hopes of reaching the summit. As each expedition sets out, they carve new paths along icy slopes and unforgiving rock, creating camps on ledges so narrow they fear turning over in their sleep. But disaster strikes -- in 1939, four men never make it down the mountain. Fourteen years later, a man develops blood clots in his legs at 25,000 feet, leaving his team with no safe path off the mountain. Filled with displays of incredible strength and heart-stopping danger, Into the Clouds tells the incredible stories of the men whose quest to conquer a mountain became a battle to survive the descent.




Saint Cloud, Texas - The Complete Saga


Book Description

Cloudy with a Chance of Cowboy Can an outsider find love and acceptance in a small town? When video game designer Chris Davis moved to the small town of Saint Cloud, Texas, to set up his company’s new headquarters, he didn’t expect to meet the beautiful bed and breakfast owner Cassidy Norton. But can a relationship blossom amidst the tensions between the locals and his team of quirky coders? From moonlit horseback rides to hot-blooded brawls, this funny and romantic tale brings tech and tradition together in a battle for connection. Cloudy with a Chance of Billionaire When opposites attract, can two strangers turn a rocky partnership into something more? Brian Davis, the charismatic PR head of Cloud 9 Games, is ready to reinvent himself as a political advisor when a local councilwoman needs assistance. Especially since the stunning Amelia Hernandez has it all: passion, brains, and beauty. Fiercely independent, Amelia is determined to serve her hometown. While the first sparks between Brian and Amelia are anything but romantic, mutual respect and admiration bloom as they unite to get the job done. Until Amelia has a new question: how far is she willing to go to achieve her dreams? Overflowing with tenderness, humor, and sigh-worthy romance, this story will sweep you away to a charming small town where two unlikely partners discover that sometimes, you have to risk it all for a chance at true happiness. Cloudy with a Chance of Family Can two wounded hearts from broken families build a solid one together? Seeking a fresh start in Saint Cloud, Texas, Simon Smith gets more than he bargained for: an opportunity to learn who his father is… Like Simon, Mackenzie Cox carries scars from a painful childhood. Now a protective single mom, she’s wary of trusting again. Mackenzie has truly captured Simon’s heart, but will his kindness suffice to melt her fears and convince her to give love a second chance? In this poignant tale, two wounded souls discover that the greatest gifts come wrapped in forgiveness, family, and belonging. Where there is love, no fracture is too deep to mend. Cloudy with a Chance of Sizzle Sweet romance meets savory cuisine. When successful Texas businessman Andrew Davis first lays eyes on spirited chef Bailey Green, it's love at first sight. But Bailey is laser-focused on her culinary career, she won't let romance distract her culinary ambitions. To win her heart, Andrew must prove he's willing to learn his way around the kitchen. With a dash of charm, a sprinkle of humor, and lots of mouthwatering chemistry, this unlikely pair whips up a recipe for true love. From sampling local flavors to winning a chili cook-off, Andrew and Bailey's courtship hits all the right notes. This scrumptious story serves up a satisfying tale about two people cooking up happily ever after. Cloudy with a Chance of Romance When a bumpy country road sends Matt Miller’s paddle-board flying, petite deputy Billie Vincent has no choice but to give the very tall athlete a ticket. And yet the sparks fly between those two kindred spirits, both new to the small town of Saint Cloud. To find their happy ever after, Billie and Matt need to face the challenge of her dangerous jobs, the frown of disapproving townsfolk, and all sorts of meddling busybodies. Overflowing with warm feels, endearing characters, and lots of heart, Cloudy With a Chance of Romance is the epitome of a cute, feel-good love story that will have you cheering for Billie and Matt's happy ending! Cloudy with a Chance of Family Can a small-town girl tame a hunky city slicker? Julia Munoz grew up riding horses on her family’s Texas ranch. Back from college, she has a new mission: help revitalize the business she loves. Bodybuilder Dylan Davis moved from the big city to Saint Cloud with his brothers. He’s focused on pumping iron and renovating the Cloud 9 ranch, not chasing cowgirls. However, when Munoz ranch is short-staffed for its annual cattle drive, Dylan jumps at the chance to bond with Julia and learn the ropes of life on the range. With fierce family rivalries, this tender heartfelt romance will leave you swooning for a happily ever after. Saddle up for a rollicking great time! Cloudy with a Chance of Redemption When the Fox sisters get into trouble in Dallas, they're sent to serve out their "community service" on a ranch in small town Saint Cloud. Neither is prepared for ranch life, or for the handsome cowboy tasked supervising them, Carl Norton, a man who knows a thing or two about rebellion and redemption. Saddle up for a touching tale that proves sometimes you need to get a little dirty to clean up your act. This wholesome country romance, peppered with humor and heart, is a perfect read for fans of cowboy romances and sister stories alike. Cloudy with a Chance of Harmony Shawna Fox's decision to stay in Saint Cloud isn't just about finding her self-worth at the Bar-X ranch. According to her twin, it might also have something to do with her growing affection for Tim Norton, the small town's rising country music star. Shawna, usually quite talkative, finds herself tongue-tied whenever Tim is around. As Tim's career begins to take off, a seductive record executive sets her sights on him, threatening to cloud their budding romance, Shawna must learn to overcome her insecurities and find her voice, both for herself and for their relationship. Set against the backdrop of Saint Cloud's tight-knit community and the enchanting Bar-X ranch, "Cloudy with a Chance of Harmony" is a heartwarming tale of chasing dreams, finding love, and staying true to oneself despite the allure of fame. Cloudy with a Chance of Devotion A Heartwarming Tale of Love, Family, and New Beginnings In the charming Texas town of Saint Cloud, the Silver family has been serving up authentic Sicilian cuisine for generations at their beloved restaurant, the Silver Lining. When tragedy strikes, Megan Silver finds herself torn between duty to her family's legacy and her own dreams. Enter Justin Logan, the handsome and principled heir to the town's most influential ranching family. As Megan and Justin's paths cross, they discover a connection that goes beyond their different worlds. But with family expectations, personal insecurities, and the challenges of balancing tradition with progress, their budding romance faces numerous obstacles. As Megan struggles to find her place between her passion for creating mouthwatering desserts and her career aspirations, Justin needs to balance the responsibilities of being the town's 'Big Hat' while staying true to his heart. Together, they'll learn that love requires patience, understanding, and sometimes, a leap of faith. Set against the backdrop of a close-knit community in flux, Cloudy with a Chance of Devotion weaves together themes of family loyalty, personal growth, and the courage to embrace change. With a cast of colorful characters, including the fiery Nonna Silver and the enigmatic Pauline Schneider-Logan, this novel explores the bonds that tie families together and the choices that define them. Will Megan and Justin find a way to blend their lives and loves as seamlessly as a perfect tiramisu? And what secrets will a surprise visitor bring that could change everything? Heartwarming, romantic, and filled with the flavors of life, Cloudy with a Chance of Devotion is a delicious read that will leave you craving more of the Silver family's story and the magic of Saint Cloud, Texas.




Wild Horses, Wild Hearts 3-Book Collection


Book Description

Get ALL THREE BOOKS for 40% OFF ~ Clean Historical Romance! Enjoy historical western romance from a delightful author who keeps you wondering what next for the characters! Book 1: Will she risk freedom for love? Fiercely independent, show jumper Margaret McNeil will sacrifice anything to keep her ranch. But when the barriers around her heart are breached by her handsome new ranch hand, John Baldwin, will Margaret find the courage to risk freedom for love? Or will a tragic misunderstanding tear everything apart? Book 2: Will her dreams lead to love or betrayal? Aspiring show jumper, Leyla McNeal dreams becoming a champion like her older sister Maggie. And with Leyla's new companion Whirlwind, she sees a path forward to her goals. But when she meets her idol, traveling show jumper Chase McAllister, and sparks begin to fly, will their blossoming romance survive Chase's secret? Or will his betrayal trample her dream and heart? Book 3: Husband. Wife. Family? When experienced rancher and show jumper, Margaret McNeill gets some unexpected news, is she ready for their next adventure? Or will a terrifying disaster threaten their future before it has a chance to begin? Find out in Wild Hearts, Wild Horses Books 1-3 by Montana West. Each book of the Wild Hearts series is a sweet, standalone romance that will leave you with a smile in your heart. If you love sweet Western romance, start reading the Wild Horses, Wild Hearts 3-Book Collection now!




Wicked Nights


Book Description

Leader of the most powerful army in the heavens, Zacharel has been deemed nearly too dangerous, too ruthless—and if he isn't careful, he'll lose his wings. But this warrior with a heart of ice will not be deterred from his missions at any cost…until a vulnerable human tempts him with a carnal pleasure he's never known before. Accused of a crime she did not commit, Annabelle Miller has spent four years in an institution for the criminally insane. Demons track her every move, and their king will stop at nothing to have her. Zacharel is her only hope for survival, but is the brutal angel with a touch as hot as hell her salvation—or her ultimate damnation?




Cloud of Sparrows


Book Description

“Exotic, entertaining . . . [an] exceptional first novel.”—San Francisco Chronicle The year is 1861. After two centuries of isolation, Japan has opened its doors to the West. And as foreign ships threaten to rain destruction on the Shogun’s castle in Edo, a small group of American missionaries has arrived to spread the word of their God. They have yet to realize that their future in Japan has already been foreseen. For a young nobleman has dreamt that his life will be saved by an outsider in the New Year. . . and it is said that Lord Genji has the gift of prophecy. What happens next—when the handsome lord meets an appa rently reformed gunslinger and a woman in flight from her own destructive beauty—sets the stage for a remarkable adventure. For as this unlikely band embarks on a journey through a landscape bristling with danger, East and West, flesh and spirit, past and future, collide in ways no one—least of all Genji—could have imagined. Praise for Cloud of Sparrows “The book seizes you from start to finish.”—The Washington Post “Adventure-filled.”—Entertainment Weekly “Rich . . . with an ambitious, unexpected ending that cuts deeper than a samurai sword.”—San Francisco Chronicle




Hearts On Ice (A Silverpeak Sabres College Hockey Romance—Book 5)


Book Description

When psychology major Riley Quinn is unexpectedly thrust into the role of assistant coach to the Sabres, she develops feelings for not one, but two star athletes. Will she face scrutiny about fraternizing with players? Or will love prevail? HEARTS ON ICE: SILVERPEAK SABRES HOCKEY BOOK 5 is the fifth book in an enthralling new sports romance series filled with witty humor, heartfelt moments, sensual subplots, and unexpected twists. Prepare to be captivated by alluring new protagonists in each book that are ready to capture your interest and keep you turning pages well into the night. Future books in the series are available!