Reissued with a fresh look and added content, the Stepping Stones History series is kid-friendly and Common Core ready! When Anna Maria’s father dies, she moves to an orphanage in Venice. Though she misses her father, she knows he will always be with her, as long as she has his beautiful violin. Luckily, the orphanage is also a renowned music school, with a teacher who is none other than composer Antonio Vivaldi. But when her violin is stolen, Anna Maria must search Venice’s bridges, streets, and canals. Will she ever find it—and can she ever be happy in Venice without it? This lyrical historical-fiction story captures Venice, the joy of music, and how kindness can make a scary new place feel like home. History Stepping Stones now feature updated content that emphasizes Common Core and today’s renewed interest in nonfiction. Perfect for home, school, and library bookshelves!

Enter the Teutonic Fantasy Realm in this spicy fated mates paranormal romance featuring a stone witch and her unexpected match. Magic is a valuable asset—until it pulls a newbie witch into unwanted romance. Abandoned with mystical blood pulsing through my veins, I struggle to choose the best path forward. My newfound elemental gifts were supposed to help me save my family from bondage. But instead, magic has aroused a compulsion to offer my body and soul to a fiery priest I've never met. My fated mate insists I should embrace our destiny, that we can accomplish more together than apart. Apparently, the entire Teuton community will suffer if we don’t unite our bloodlines in ritual marriage. But my mate has no concept of the danger breathing down my neck, or what it could mean if my enemies learn of our connection. Can I rescue my family while shielding my mate from the backlash? Or will the demons haunting my past destroy everything I hold dear? Gift of Stone is book 2 in the Elemental Bloodlines series, although all books in this series can be read as standalones. It features a stone witch in a sizzling fated mates romance with a fiery plumber in a hot romantic story with a guaranteed happily ever after. It includes strong language, graphic violence, sexual situations, and mature themes. Elemental Bloodlines series Gift of Fire Gift of Stone Gift of Darkness Gift of Water Gift of Air: prequel novella Gift of Light: fairytale novella Fans of the following authors will enjoy reading these steamy paranormal romance love stories: Sarah J Maas Holly Black Leigh Bardugo Laura Thalassa Elise Kova Cassandra Claire Raven Kennedy Kim Harrison Scarlett St. Clair Nalini Singh Sherrilyn Kenyon Laura Greenwood Liza Street Lisa Blackwood Demelza Carlton Skye MacKinnon

Set before the advent of the Bronze Age, The Gift of Stones centers around a community of stoneworkers who live in a village near the sea. Wealthy and complacent, they survive by the trade of their unrivaled skills, secure in the supremacy of their craftsmenship. A small boy, outcast by misfortune, ventures from the confines of the enclave to explore the unknown. He returns with enchanting tales of ships and the seashore, of new vistas and horizons, that beguile and disturb the villagers. In spite of his words and intuitive wisodm, the stoneworkers remain oblivious to the winds of change beginning to blow in the outside world. Until, that is, the storyteller brings back to the village a strange and angry woman whose presence foretells the coming of metal, the end of stone, and the demise of their way of life.

When a young woman finds herself lost and at a crossroads, one last gift from her brother just might give her another chance at life and at love in this epic holiday romance from the author of Always, in December “Heartbreaking, romantic and full of warmth . . . waterproof mascara recommended!”—Sarah Morgan, author of The Christmas Sisters ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: PopSugar Sometimes the best gifts in life are the ones you don’t expect. Cassie and Tom lost their parents at a young age and relied on each other—as well as a community of friends—to cope. They were especially close with Tom’s best friend, Sam, who always made sure that Tom and Cassie were surrounded with love. But, twenty years later, Cassie has lost Tom as well. And in a way, she’s also lost Sam; over the years they’d drifted apart, and now the man she always had a crush on is someone she doesn’t even recognize anymore. She’s never felt more alone. Then Cassie finds an envelope with her name on it, written in Tom’s terrible handwriting, and she knows immediately what it is. It’s the first clue in the Christmas scavenger hunt that Tom made for her every year; he’d promised her for months that this year’s would be the grandest one yet. At first, she’s too scared to open the envelope—what if she can’t figure out the clues without his help? Or what if she does figure them all out and her last connection to Tom is gone? Tom’s present sets Cassie on a heart-wrenching and beautiful journey that will change her life—if she lets it. And as she travels from London to the Welsh mountains to the French countryside, she reconnects with old friends, rekindles a lost love, and, most important, rediscovers herself. But once she’s solved the final clue, will she be brave enough to accept the gift her brother has given her—and the love it’s led her to?

Since its publication in 2005, The Gift of Nothing has become an instant classic--the perfect gift for "the person who has everything." In this appealing picture book, Mooch the cat--star of the nationally-syndicated comic strip Mutts--searches for a present for his friend, Earl the dog. Earl already has everything he needs: a bowl, a bed, a chewy toy...What else could Mooch get him? Then it dawns on him: NOTHING! This timeless tale has a heart-warming message about the most valuable gift of all--friendship--that appeals to readers of all ages. Great for a last minute gift, this special edition includes an elegant paper slipcase designed to look like gift wrap with foil accents and an embossed bow and faux hang tag.

A study on the Tradition of the Hidden Pole underlying all myth and religion. A first-time, revealing investigation into the coded works of H.P. Lovecraft (America's "secret alchemist") and traditional Alchemy, Polaria is an exploration of the meaning behind meanings, a Book of Origins beginning where others end. It is a guide leading one out of the labyrinth of existence and the limitations of Space-Time. In true esoteric fashion, Polaria serves as a beacon to the spiritual depths of life.

Crace’s second novel confirmed his status as a writer of great imagination and skill. Set at the twilight of the Stone Age, a young man elects himself the village storyteller, and hunts restlessly, far and wide, for inspiration. But the information he finds and the people he meets warn of the advent of a new age and the coming of a metal that will change their community’s life irrevocably.