Welcome to Visanthe


Book Description

The only thing Savara knows for certain is that she doesn't belong... anywhere. Stripped of all memories of her childhood and robbed of the last remnants of her unorthodox family, Savara is left to fear the lonely nights in the darkened house whose walls contain as many secrets as they do cobwebs. But something in her soul tells her she doesn't belong here—doesn't belong anywhere. Her only salvation? A best friend with his head stuck in history books and a mercenary from a foreign land who claims he has come to take her home. Savara is whisked away to a world of fantasy in which elemental magic reigns supreme and where shadows are spirits of the past and keepers of long-forgotten secrets—her secrets. As she fights to regain her missing memories, she uncovers a deadly truth that threatens to plunge the world into darkness. Worse still, it's all her fault. Armed with this terrible understanding, Savara must hide her true nature at all costs or risk hurting her newfound family and the one she loves most, but the clock is ticking and the enemies draw near. A ruthless mafia don on a revenge crusade. A secretive apprentice with a hidden agenda. A cruel military dictator. And of course... the Prince of Shadows himself. The shadows of the past have awakened with a thirst for blood. Will she be able to stop them from devouring everything in their path? Or will she fall victim to her own demons? Sadly, if her quest for meaning has taught her anything, it's that not all fantasies are dreams come true, and that the truth is most often paid for in blood. PERFECT FOR FANS OF... Erin Morgenstern, Leigh Bardugo, Lynette Noni, Victoria Aveyard, and more. This young adult epic fantasy is more than just your average coming of age story. Praise for Welcome to Visanthe "An amazing story with a captivating magical world, dynamic characters, and a super intense plot!" ~ K. Egan, Cosmopolitan U.K. "Very character-driven! Which I love! So even if you aren't a fantasy fan, you'll still really enjoy it!" ~ E. Carwile, Librarian "I honestly can't put the book down! I love [the] world-building so much!" ~ @soniacanread, Book Blogger




Visanthe in Ruin


Book Description

"One of these days, princess, those hands of yours will be marred with blood, and then you'll finally understand..." Savara is dying. The soulbond on her cheek is draining her life force, and her powers are growing increasingly restless. When a dark knight offers her help, she's hesitant to accept. After all, this is the man who sentenced her to death. As a new war looms on the horizon, Savara must decide whether to trust him or face her fate alone. But fate always did have plans of its own... Meanwhile, Jasper and Griffin find themselves caught in the midst of a deadly battle for the throne of the Ur that pits magic against brute strength. But the nature of water is change, and everyone, down to the smallest inhabitant of the farthest tundras of the Ur isles, can sense the unfavourable shift in tides. As they search for the witch who stole Savara's memories, they uncover a shocking secret that could change everything they thought they knew about the legend, the stones, her. As alliances crumble and friendships are put to the test, our heroes must face their greatest challenge yet—stopping the Prince of Shadows before it's too late. But the Prince of Shadows is no fool. The arrogant prince sits in wait, a wicked smile curling on his face as he contemplates the stones in his hand. Four down, three to go... With non-stop action and unexpected twists at every turn, the sequel to Welcome to Visanthe will leave you breathless. Prepare to be swept away in a world of danger, betrayal, and a love that knows no bounds. "...there's darkness in all of us.” PERFECT FOR FANS OF... Victoria Aveyard, V.E. Schwab, Lynette Noni, Kerri Maniscalco, Cassandra Clare, Avatar the Last Airbender, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, morally grey and complex characters, fantastical world-building, and lovers of tropes such as, enemies to lovers, found family, chosen one, swoon-worthy romance, forbidden love, strong female friendships, and more! ***TRIGGER WARNING:*** Some scenes may include graphic depictions of war and seduction. The nature of certain powers in Visanthe is intrinsically morbid and linked with blood and death.




The Days I Dream of Chardonnay


Book Description

A collection of poems that invites readers on a journey through the joys and struggles of growing up and navigating the complexities of adult life. These poems are filled with poignant observations about the challenges of finding one's place in the world, and captures the many moments of everyday life that make up the fabric of our existence. Aided by a touch of light humour and a dash of bitter realism, these poems explore the messy, unpredictable nature of the human experience. Whether you're grappling with the uncertainties of young adulthood or simply looking to reflect on the twists and turns of your own life journey, "The Days I Dream of Chardonnay" is a moving and insightful collection of poetry that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt adrift in a sea of adult responsibilities. Great for taking the edge off reality, especially after the longer days of dreary work or school or the mortal coil. Luckily, there's no age restriction on this collection. Wine glass recommended, sobriety optional. PERFECT FOR FANS OF... Rupi Kaur, Sylvia Plath, and Emily Dickinson.




The Days I Dream of Chocolate


Book Description

Praise for The Days I Dream of Chocolate... "The Days I Dream of Chocolate” is a cozy read. The overall thematics can be understood by and are relatable to anyone; any reader can find something to take away. The allusions and, often, the diction are quite charming and occasionally quite clever." ~ Matt, Editor, FlukyFiction "Unique, engaging and definitely a piece of work that is strong and memorable. Each poem here is different, not one even verges on being the same, and the contextual nature of the poems means there is so much more in the depths of these poems than what is first noticed when read. I think - and I hope - that this book will be a piece of work others reference when writing from different points of view." ~ Rhys Milsom, Poet Description: The Days I Dream of Chocolate is a collection of poems that focuses on the different facets of love, from falling in love to growing into self-love, and everything in between. Great for those moments of pure infatuation, or simply to relive the sensations of love all over again, this collection will leave you with a flutter in your heart and a deeper appreciation of what it means to LOVE. No assembly necessary, some chocolate required.




Superfans


Book Description

A Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist pulls back the curtain on the extraordinary inner lives of America’s most obsessive sports fans. There are fans, and then there are fanatics. In this wondrously immersive look at American sports fandom, George Dohrmann travels the country to find out what distinguishes an ordinary, everyday enthusiast from that special breed of supporter known as the superfan. In Minnesota, Dohrmann meets newly minted generals of the Viking World Order, a Minnesota Vikings affinity group organized along military lines. In Oregon, he shares a few beers with a determined soccer fan who amassed—almost singlehandedly—a four-thousand-strong cheering section for the fledgling Portland Timbers. In Illinois, he talks with the parents of a five-year-old boy whose intense hatred of Tom Brady went viral on YouTube. Through these and other intimate profiles, Dohrmann shows us the human faces behind the colored face paint, the real people inside the elaborate costumes who prowl the stands and parking lots at stadiums from coast to coast. In addition to the fans themselves, Dohrmann also talks with the experts who study them. He uses the latest thinking in sports psychology—some of it learned during a spirited round of miniature golf with a group of professors at the annual Sports Psychology Forum—to unravel the answers to such burning questions as: How does fandom begin? What are its effects on everyday life? When does it go too far? For everyone who’s ever body-painted their torso with the team colors of their alma mater before heading off to a sports bar—or even just screamed at their television during the NBA Finals—Superfans offers an entertaining and insightful exploration of the many ways human beings find meaning in something bigger than themselves. Featuring photos of the Rally Banana, Timber Jim, the officers of the Viking World Order, a pair of Kentucky Wildcats tattoos, a Kevin Durant jersey torched by a jilted fan, and more. Plus analysis of the . . . Arizona State Sun Devils • Chicago Bears • Dallas Cowboys • Green Bay Packers • Indianapolis Colts • Milwaukee Brewers • Nebraska Cornhuskers • New England Patriots • Oklahoma City Thunder • Philadelphia Eagles • San Diego State Aztecs • Seattle Seahawks “Well reported and meticulously researched . . . Dohrmann is a respected, diligent sportswriter and has been so for years—you don’t get Pulitzers for message-board posts.”—The Wall Street Journal







Sofonisba's Lesson


Book Description

"Within a span of seven or eight years in the 1550s, the Italian painter Sofonisba Anguissola produced more self-portraits than any known painter before her had in a lifetime. She was the first known artist in history to take her parents and siblings as primary subject matter, and may have painted the first group portrait featuring only women. Cole examines Sofonisba's paintings as expressions of her relationships and networks, looking at why Sofonisba was able to become a great woman artist: at her father, who decided to allow her to be educated as a painter; at her teacher, Bernardino Campi; and at her relationships with her students, sisters, and patrons, who included the Queen of Spain. Cole demonstrates that Sofonisba made teaching and education a central theme of her painting. The book also provides the first complete catalogue of all of Sofonisba's known works"--




One-Way Ticket


Book Description

The new memoir tracing story of cycling since the 1980s, through the eyes of Jonathan Vaughters, founder of team Education First and one of the sport's most towering figures. Jonathan Vaughters' story is the story of modern cycling. From his early years as a keen cyclist in his hometown in Colorado to his unflinching rite of passage as a professional rider with US Postal to his elevation as one of cycling's most resilient, ethical and intelligent team bosses, the highs and lows of his career have mirrored those of the sport itself. Vaughters has had a front-row seat for most of the major events in cycling over the past three decades. He was both a former teammate of Lance and a leading witness against him. And he went on to renounce doping and start the first pro cycling team to dedicate itself to clean riding, which has grown into one of the most successful teams competing today and started a movement that has swept across the sport. This is also not simply a story of races won and lost: Vaughters shows readers how he navigated the complex, international business of building Slipstream into a world-class cycling team. Over the past decade, he has led the sport out of the scandal-plagued Armstrong era. By presenting the world with a team made of talented racers built around a rigorous approach to clean racing, he set a new standard within cycling that has since spread across the peloton. Written from the unique perspective of both a racer and a team manager, One-Way Ticket gives the complete story of what it takes to build a winning team and repair the reputation of a sport.




The GM


Book Description

A LOOK AT THE NFL’S TOUGHEST JOB, A MAN WHO MASTERED IT, AND THE ART OF WINNING CHAMPIONSHIPS With a New Chapter on the Giants’ Super Bowl Triumph The GM is a chronicle of the NFL spanning the last three and a half decades, told through the eyes of legendary general manager Ernie Accorsi, a man who has dedicated his life to football—and whose unshakable faith in controversial quarterback Eli Manning was vindicated in the Giants’ dramatic come-from-behind victory in the 2008 Super Bowl. Filled with vivid anecdotes and storytelling that show how the pro game (and the league that showcases it) really works, The GM doesn’t just illuminate, it inspires with its portrait of a consummate football-personnel strategist who, over the course of decades, gave everything to the game he loved.




Gunslinger


Book Description

“Over two decades, Brett Favre was as compelling a figure as any in the National Football League. He alone was 'Must-See TV.' In Gunslinger, Jeff Pearlman provides an extraordinary look at every facet of the life of a man who performed on sport's grandest stage and who had one helluva time along the way.”—Al Michaels In Gunslinger, Jeff Pearlman tells Brett Favre’s story for the first time, charting his unparalleled journey from a rough rural childhood and lackluster high school football career to landing the last scholarship at Southern Mississippi, to a car accident that nearly took his life, and eventually to the NFL and Green Bay, where he restored the Packers to greatness and inspired a fan base as passionate as any in the game. Yet he struggled with demons: addiction, infidelity, the loss of his father, and a fraught, painfully prolonged exit from the game he loved, a game he couldn’t bear to leave. Gritty and revelatory, Gunslinger is a big sports biography of the highest order, a fascinating portrait of the man with the rocket arm whose life has been one of triumph, fame, tragedy, embarrassment, and—ultimately—redemption. “The compelling, complete story of his legend, and his faults.”—Chicago Tribune