This behind-the-scenes examination reveals how the relentless pressure to wincan inspire or destroy a team of high school hockey champions.

Discover the Whispers of Winter: A Journey Through Snow-Covered Memories Picture a world where the crunch of fresh snow underfoot syncs with the pulse of adventure, and the brisk air fills your lungs as you embark on a journey through "Winter's Playground: The Timeless Tales of Snowy Recreation." This enchanting compendium captures not just the essence of winter sports, but the very soul found in each snowflake that touches down upon our expansive winter wonderland. Begin your odyssey by strapping on the ancient skis that were once Norse warriors' trusted allies. Feel the thrilling rush as you chart the evolution of alpine skiing and snowboarding, from their subversive beginnings to the cultural phenomena that have captured imaginations worldwide. Glide across the storied ice and stand shoulder to shoulder with hockey legends, tracing the sport from humble pond games to the rinks that birthed national pride and international camaraderie. Wander further into the serene silence of Nordic skiing, and let the steady rhythm of your heartbeat become one with the landscape. Or, delight in the innocent merriment of sledding, an activity whose age-old joy has echoed through the ages, from survival to exhilarating competition. Crank up the engine and cut through the quiet with the roar of snowmobiles, tying together communities with trails that dance through woodlands and over the open tundra. The call of the wild beckons as the narratives of dog sledding paint a vivid tableau of endurance and companionship, the Iditarod standing as a testament to the resilient bond between humans and their canine companions. For those drawn to elegance, let the artistry of figure skating and the strategic dance of curling inspire and entertain, while the meticulous craft of snow sculpting offers a glance at transient masterpieces born from cold canvases.Finally, envision the global celebrations that color the coldest months, transforming the chill into a palette of cultural expression, before looking ahead to the sustainable future of these cherished pastimes. This tale is interwoven with reflections on preserving the magic of winter's embrace amid a changing world. Make your mark in the snow -- embrace the season that transforms the world into a playground of possibility. "Winter's Playground" is not a mere recount of historical facts; it's an invitation to continue the legacy, to add your story to the saga of snowy recreation. So, bundle up, step into the frostbitten air, and prepare to etch your path on winter's canvas.

"Wonderful . . . J. V. Jones is a striking writer." So says Robert Jordan, the author of The Wheel of Time epic fantasy series. And Jones lives up to that praise in the highly charged epic adventure of Ash March and Raif Sevrance, two outcasts whose fate are entwined by ancient prophecies and need, in the cold, dark world that threatens to be torn asunder by a war to end all wars. Isolated by their birthrights, they are but two who fight the dreaded Endlords, and their strength and courage will be needed if the world is to be saved from darkness." Raif, wrongly accused and cut off from his clan by the treachery of their new headsman, has a talent for killing that is part of his curse and his burden. But he bears another burden of greater weight. Ash is a sacred warrior to the Sull, an ancient race whose numbers have declined. Raised as a foundling, never knowing her true history, she must learn to accept the terrible gifts of her heritage. But as Ash learns more of her greater fate, Raif's task looms dark and desperate, for he must journey through the nightmare realm of the Want, a place where even the Sull now fear to tread. For deep within the Want is the Fortress of Grey Ice, and there he must heal the breach in the Blindwall that already threatens the world. Should he fail, not even Ash's powers can save them. . . . At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

“A new series filled with multifaceted characters, layered plots, and the type of quixotic scenarios that only the imagination of Kelly McCullough could possibly create…Brilliant!”—Huntress Book Reviews For six years, former temple assassin Aral Kingslayer has been living as a jack of the shadow trades, picking up odd jobs on the wrong side of the law. But the past is never dead, and Aral’s has finally caught up to him in the beautiful, dangerous form of Jax Seldansbane—a fellow Blade and Aral’s onetime fiancée. Jax claims that the forces that destroyed everything Aral once held dear are on the move again, and she needs his help to stop them. But Aral has a new life now, with a fresh identity and new responsibilities. And while he isn’t keen on letting the past back in, the former assassin soon finds himself involved in a war that will leave him with no way out and no idea who to trust…