Lotus and Thorn


Book Description

A thrilling fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce and Sarah Maas Ravaged by a plague known as Red Death, the planet Gabriel, a former colony of Earth, is a barren wasteland. Since being abandoned by Earth 500 years ago, resources are scarce and life is cheap. To stay alive, the survivors, the Citizens, scavenge the remains of a now dead city, trading for food with the resource-rich Curadores, the only other survivors on Gabriel. Every old computer, every piece of wire, every scrap of metal counts. To steal is the ultimate sin. So when tough-as-nails seventeen-year-old Leica is caught doing just that, she's exiled and left to the mercy of Gabriel's unforgiving desert for the rest of her life. While in exile, Leica discovers a mysterious shuttle, which may not only lead her home, but even more impossible—reestablish contact with Earth. Then Red Death rears its head again, killing her entire work crew, leaving Leica all alone until a handsome Curador offers her refuge in the Dome—the only place on Gabriel untouched by Red Death, where a decadent and sultry life awaits. But there's a catch: Leica can only enter the Dome as his concubine—his Kisaeng. When a rogue group of Citizens see their chance for revolution in Leica's good fortune, she finds herself unraveling a deadly mystery with chilling answers to the true origin of Red Death and the reason Earth really abandoned them so long ago. A richly imagined tale in the vein of Tamora Pierce, Lotus and Thorn is a magnificent, epic fantasy adventure.




Harbinger


Book Description

Plagued by waking visions and nightmares, sixteen-year-old Faye thinks she’s going crazy. Fast. She can hardly blame her parents when they ship her off to the prison-like Holbrook Academy for treatment. On her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school, like she’s come home. But when strange and terrifying things start happening to Faye and her newfound friends, Faye knows she’s the reason, but what does it mean? The handsome Kel helps her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain he’s also trying to kill her—and maybe the rest of the world too.




Thorn of the Night Blossoms


Book Description

For an imperial assassin, assignment as a courtesan in the Floating World seems like a waste of her talents... until killers target her clan sisters.In the legendary Floating World, wars are waged with wit, the strongest soldier can be bound with threads of silk, and flesh is the currency by which life, death, and freedom can all be purchased. Half-elf Jie doesn't mind her temporary assignment as a Night Blossom in the most sought-after house. It's perfect cover for her real work as an assassin in the emperor's service, and keeps her close to one who matters most. Her life belongs to her clan, but her heart lies with clan junior, Lilian. Lilian's talents trade stealth for sensuality, poison for poetry. With looks as sharp as any blade, she can coax information from any man, and still leave him paying for the pleasure. She's enthralled many a noble, none more important than the warlord who can calm a brewing insurrection. Only her sweet whispers can secure his obedience to the throne.But now, his increasing abuse has Jie seeking a new assignment for Lilian--even if it means their separation. When killers target clan sisters, and the seeds of rebellion find fertile soil in the Floating World, Jie must choose between loyalty and love.***"Thorn of the Night Blossoms is a prequel, though it is a total standalone... This cover story blends right in with her actual ninja-like assassin job in a fantastic tale filled with intrigue, betrayal, friendship, love and truly incredible action."--Amazon Reviewer"Kang delivers once again. This thrilling tale gives valuable insight to a beloved favorite character's younger years and begins to fill in the gap that was left with questions after his epic Dragon Song Saga. Highly recommended. Fantastic read that was full of suspense, charm, and shocking moments that will leave you wanting more."--Amazon Reviewer The Legends of Tivara Includes: A Dragon's Guide to Hatching a Rebellion Scions of the Black Lotus Thorn of the Night BlossomsWhite Sheep of the FamilyWretches of the Trench The Dragon Songs Saga Prelude to Insurrection Songs of InsurrectionOrchestra of TreacheriesDances of DeceptionSymphony of Fates The Dragonstones Chronicles Masters of Deception Heirs of the Sundered Empire




The Lotus and the Storm


Book Description

A lyrical novel of love and betrayal in the aftermath of the fall of Saigon—from the author of Monkey Bridge A singular work of witness, inspiration, and courage, The Lotus and the Storm marks the welcome return of Lan Cao’s pitch-perfect voice, telling the story only she can tell. Four decades after the war, Vietnam’s flavors of clove and cinnamon have been re-created by a close-knit refugee community in a Virginia suburb. But the lives of Minh and Mai, father and daughter, are haunted by ghosts, secrets, and the loss of their country. During the disastrous last days in Saigon, in a whirl of military signals and helicopter evacuations, Mai never had a chance to say goodbye to so many people who meant so much to her. What happened to them? How will Mai cope with the trauma of war—and will the thay phap, a Vietnamese spirit exorcist, be able to heal her?




Using Lotus Improv 2.1 for Windows


Book Description

Introduces the features of the new electronic spreadsheet program, discusses file structure, and shows how to create presentations, charts, and reports




Scions of the Black Lotus


Book Description

For an imperial assassin, assignment as a courtesan in the Floating World seems like a waste of her talents... until killers target her clan sisters. In the legendary Floating World, wars are waged with wit, the strongest soldier can be bound with threads of silk, and flesh is the currency by which life, death, and freedom can all be purchased. Half-elf Jie bemoans her temporary assignment as a Night Blossom in the most sought-after house, even if it's the perfect cover for her real work as an assassin in the emperor's service. When killers target her clan sisters, it leads to a convergence of threats that could topple an empire. The Complete Tales of the Floating World Includes six books and two bonus stories: Thorn of the Night Blossoms White Sheep of the Family Wretches of the Trench Interlude (Bonus story) Temptress of Fates Last Heir of the North Second Interlude (Bonus story) Last Bloom of the Jade Lotus




The Rose Contract


Book Description

LOVE IS FREE. INNOCENCE HAS A PRICE.Raena Barren was born with a secret: of all the magic users in the kingdom of Soma, she is the only one who can hide her power. As a child, she used this magic to help her survive on the streets--until she saved the life of a strange boy called Jorr Portent. He rewarded her with a job in the castle of Soma--and Raena spent the next ten years falling in love with him. But while Raena's life as a servant is sheltered, Jorr's world is one of spies and assassins. When Raena comes of age, their paths will diverge forever? unless Raena can earn a place by his side. To become one of Jorr's operatives, however, Raena must get to know her own body, and outsmart the deadly people around her. She must also sell her innocence to whatever man pays the most? even if that man can't be Jorr.




Flower and Thorn


Book Description

A young flower hunter gets embroiled in the succession politics of the Sultanate when she must retrieve the rarest and most powerful magical flower after giving it to the wrong hands, in Rati Mehrotra's Flower and Thorn. Irinya has wanted to be a flower hunter ever since her mother disappeared into the mysterious mist of the Rann salt flats one night. Now seventeen, Irinya uses her knowledge of magical flowers to help her caravan survive in the harsh desert. When her handsome hunting partner and childhood friend finds a priceless silver spider lily—said to be able to tear down kingdoms and defeat entire armies—Irinya knows this is their chance for a better life. Until Irinya is tricked by an attractive impostor. Irinya's fight to recover the priceless flower and fix what she's done takes her on a dangerous journey, one she's not sure she'll survive. She has no choice but to endure it if she hopes to return home and mend the broken heart of the boy she's left behind.




House of Elephants (Witchlings 3)


Book Description

From New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Claribel A. Ortega: The third bookin the spellbinding Witchlings series! It's been months since the end of the Golden Frog Games, and a cure for the hex that turned young witches to stone still hasn't been found. Seven and Thorn want nothing more than to find a way to heal their friends, but everything they try ends in failure. When the Black Moon Ceremony arrives earlier than expected, Seven and Thorn take it as a chance to welcome any new Spares into their coven. But rather than welcoming a few Spares like they thought, all the witchlings in the ceremony are chosen to enter the Spare coven! The new Spares are met with anger from the Hill Society. They create more unfair laws that ban Spares from using magic and being equals in Twelve Towns society! On top of all that, Spares start disappearing. And no one seems to care. As Seven and Thorn struggle to find a cure for the stone hex and to stop the Twelve Town's unfair treatment of Spares once and for all, they discover a piece of hidden history that will change everything-if they can get anyone to listen to them.




Poison Blossoms From a Thicket of Thorn


Book Description

Hakuin Ekaku Zenji (1686–1769) was one of the greatest Zen masters ever to live. Originator of the famous koan "What is the sound of a single hand?" he is credited with reviving the Rinzai sect of Zen in Japan, and today all masters of that sect trace their lineage back to him. Through his numerous descendants, his influence is now felt worldwide, with his "Song of Zazen" chanted daily in temples around the globe. Norman Waddell has spent decades reading and translating Hakuin's vast writings. He has published several previous selections, all leading to his work on this monumental gathering, the Keiso Dokuzui, little known in Japan and never before translated into any foreign language. Interpreting such a text requires immersion in the material in its original language, as well as complete mastery of the available commentary. Probably no one alive is as fully prepared for this important and difficult task as Dr. Waddell. For this collection, Hakuin gathered together an enormous number and variety of pieces—commentaries, memorials, poems, koans, teisho (lectures), letters, and more. Having presented many of them live to the throng of students residing in and around his temple as well as to other audiences around the country,