Everybody needs a rock -- at least that's the way this particular rock hound feels about it in presenting her own highly individualistic rules for finding just the right rock for you.

Discover the joy of rock hunting.

"A tiny insect king demands a rock with which to build his throne"--

“One of the 12 best business books of all time…. Timeless principles of empowering leadership.” – USA Today "The best how-to manual anywhere for managers on delegating, training, and driving flawless execution.” —FORTUNE Since Turn the Ship Around! was published in 2013, hundreds of thousands of readers have been inspired by former Navy captain David Marquet’s true story. Many have applied his insights to their own organizations, creating workplaces where everyone takes responsibility for his or her actions, where followers grow to become leaders, and where happier teams drive dramatically better results. Marquet was a Naval Academy graduate and an experienced officer when selected for submarine command. Trained to give orders in the traditional model of “know all–tell all” leadership, he faced a new wrinkle when he was shifted to the Santa Fe, a nuclear-powered submarine. Facing the high-stress environment of a sub where there’s little margin for error, he was determined to reverse the trends he found on the Santa Fe: poor morale, poor performance, and the worst retention rate in the fleet. Almost immediately, Marquet ran into trouble when he unknowingly gave an impossible order, and his crew tried to follow it anyway. When he asked why, the answer was: “Because you told me to.” Marquet realized that while he had been trained for a different submarine, his crew had been trained to do what they were told—a deadly combination. That’s when Marquet flipped the leadership model on its head and pushed for leadership at every level. Turn the Ship Around! reveals how the Santa Fe skyrocketed from worst to first in the fleet by challenging the U.S. Navy’s traditional leader-follower approach. Struggling against his own instincts to take control, he instead achieved the vastly more powerful model of giving control to his subordinates, and creating leaders. Before long, each member of Marquet’s crew became a leader and assumed responsibility for everything he did, from clerical tasks to crucial combat decisions. The crew became completely engaged, contributing their full intellectual capacity every day. The Santa Fe set records for performance, morale, and retention. And over the next decade, a highly disproportionate number of the officers of the Santa Fe were selected to become submarine commanders. Whether you need a major change of course or just a tweak of the rudder, you can apply Marquet’s methods to turn your own ship around.

From Ashima Shiraishi, one of the world's youngest and most skilled climbers, comes a true story of strength and perseverance--in rock climbing and in life. To a rock climber, a boulder is called a "problem," and you solve it by climbing to the top. There are twists and turns, falls and scrapes, and obstacles that seem insurmountable until you learn to see the possibilities within them. And then there is the moment of triumph, when there's nothing above you but sky and nothing below but a goal achieved. Ashima Shiraishi draws on her experience as a world-class climber in this story that challenges readers to tackle the problems in their own lives and rise to greater heights than they would have ever thought possible.

This homage to rock collecting, assembled by “rock artist” Linda Kranz, celebrates rocks in all their variety, shapes, and colors. Some even resemble pieces of modern art. Others offer a glimpse into the natural beauty that surrounds us. There are rocks that are rough to the touch, and others that are as smooth as glass. There are rocks inside rocks. You can even find rocks that are shaped like a heart. There are even rocks that cling to a magnet! This book will explain how to start a rock collection, and what you might do with them, such as identifying what kind of rocks they are or even painting on them or creating scenes with their shapes. The book also advises you where NOT to collect rocks, such as certain parks and natural areas. Regardless, this book will inspire the rock hound in all of us.

‘WOW WOW WOW!!!!! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!… From literally the first page you're hooked and gripped!! Kept on the edge of my seat throughout I just couldn't put it down… my new all time favourite author!!… I just wish I could've given it more than five stars!!!' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars She didn’t know he was watching. Until it was too late. She’d walked this way hundreds of times before. She knew every twist and turn. She didn’t know this was the last time she’d ever walk this path. Hidden deep in the forest, schoolgirl Felicity Parker is found carefully laid out on a rock with nothing but a freshly picked bunch of flowers next to her. The body lies just off a popular hiking route, and Detective Jenna Alton thinks the killer might be a visitor to the town, until another girl’s body is found at the local swimming pool, once again posed with a bunch of flowers. Jenna recognizes the signs of a serial killer, and thinks it could be a local. As the town is gripped with fear, Jenna must examine each person the girls knew, and trust between neighbors starts to crumble. Both girls went out on their own, and were found where they shouldn’t be. Were they taken by chance, or did they know their killer? How were they lured so far from safety? And can Jenna and her team find the killer before another life is lost? An absolutely nail-biting thriller that will keep you up all night. If you enjoy Robert Dugoni, Karin Slaughter and Rachel Abbott, you’ll love this! **Each Kane and Alton book can be read as part of the series or as a standalone** What readers are saying about Bring Me Flowers: ‘Oh my flipping goodness!!... kept me guessing until the very last page… I cannot fault this book at all – if I could read it all over again for the very first time, I would jump at the chance… Hard hitting, addictive, and incredibly chilling… A truly toe curling read – fantastic!' The Writing Garnet ‘I was taken on a rollercoaster ride… it leaves you gripping the edge of your seat in anticipation… will keep you hooked from the very beginning.’ Stardust Book Reviews ‘An incredibly fast-paced, high octane thriller that begs to be read in one sitting… it was impossible to put down.' The Book Nurse ‘Wow bloody brilliant! This book had everything – it was dark, creepy and disturbing and made me get chills… I read it in super fast time because I couldn't put it down. An excellent read.' Bonnie's Book Talk ‘Suspenseful from the first page, with a pace that never lets up, this was a book I could not stop thinking about… an absolutely unputdownable, gut wrenching story with an ending I did not see coming and which I am still thinking about. Brilliant. A masterpiece.’ Renita D’Silva ‘The killer sent shivers down my spine as his narrative outlined his desire to kill and his unique MO… I love it when a writer creates a character that creeps me out inside my head and this is one guy you wouldn't want turning up with a bunch of flowers for you!… So many potential suspects, my wee head was spinning as I tried to work out the whodunnit and whydunnit! I do love a good old workout for the brain and this one kept me guessing all the way through!’ Chapter in My Life ‘Gripping main plot with a villain I never in a million years spotted.’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘The story will suck you in and keep you guessing until the end, despite trying to make you believe that you know who the murderer is.’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘This book has surpassed my expectations and is even better than that I could have imagined.’ Sean’s Book Reviews