Lies can be toxic… Gabe is a shrewd businessman to one of Las Vegas’ upscale resort and casinos. What he wants, he naturally takes—and he wants Nina. Held in a bitter divorce, Gabe finds it difficult to put his trust in anyone. Until Nina. But there’s one person keeping him from having her—his soon-to-be ex-wife. Gullible and trusting, Regina “Nina” Conners can’t get enough of Gabriel Alexander. He’s smart, sexy and lights a fire in her she never knew she had. Flown out to start her position as the new publicist for a very important client, Nina soon discovers that her fiery relationship with Gabe is ensnared in nothing but secrets and lies… Caught in a web of jealousy and obsession, Gabe must do whatever it takes to restore Nina’s faith in him or risk losing the woman he’s determined to have.

Let your cake decorating skills bloom with help from the world-renowned experts and authors of The Contemporary Buttercream Bible. Learn to pipe one-hundred different buttercream flowers—from azaleas to zinnias—to showcase on your cakes with this complete visual reference book. Each flower is demonstrated on a cupcake, with five full-scale projects to show you how to combine your flowers into a masterpiece cake. In this aspirational yet accessible guide, the authors demonstrate how to build up each flower using simple piping techniques that even the novice cake decorator will be able to achieve. All the basics are covered to get you started—how to make stable buttercream icing, advice on coloring and flavor, how to fill a piping bag, and more essential techniques. Valerie and Christina then demonstrate in step-by-step photographic detail how to create each flower and how to use your newfound skills to produce stunning cake designs. The flowers are presented through the color spectrum so when you look through the book, you’ll see a lovely rainbow effect. “A wonderful encyclopedia that can be used as reference or jumping off point for the experienced decorator as well as an all-in-one resource for intermediate or even ambitious beginners.” —Pink Cake Box University “The best book on decorating buttercream icing that I own . . . The step by step directions make sure there is no guessing as to how to do each flower that is illustrated.” —Red Kettle Cook

Journey through a magical realm where talking animals, wicked stepmothers, and brave princes weave tales of wonder and adventure. Rediscover the timeless magic of classic fairy stories, brought to life with vivid storytelling. From the depths of the ocean to towering castles, let these enchanting narratives transport you to faraway lands. Lose yourself in a world of folklore and fantasy – perfect for dreamers of all ages.

Mahlet, a young Ethiopian girl with a gift for storytelling, has a special bond with Yacob, the oldest in her household. When Yacob tells her stories of how he and the other warriors fought in the resistance against the Italian occupation of Ethiopia, Mahlet vows to become the keeper and teller of her family's stories. From the time of Menelik to the present, Mahlet's long voyage through time and space links thousands of stories between Africa and Europe. Intensely personal, this powerful and beautifully narrated novel tells the story of the Italian occupation of Ethiopia as well as of others around the globe who have suffered under colonialism or have been forcibly exiled from their homelands.

The nature of the Flower Queen case demanded a quick recall of details, which was why I maintained a journal. This journal has now metamorphosed into this book, still retaining the original journal dates as chapter titles. We Indians, who pride ourselves in being educated and forward looking, are often totally hypocritical. We know that caste system and untouchability is evil; but do we allow our maids to ever sit with us in the living room or at table with us? For centuries, some communities of fellow Indians have been treated as less than human beings. You and I have no business to allow any custom that is a fallout of that period to continue. Be that as it may, this is the story of how I was swept along by the current of wanting to help Flower Queen and how I managed to muddle along. If I could do what I did, almost succeeding, you can do it even better.

A fatherless boy by name Zutuka was born into a poor village. His parents were poor and his older brother was a very envious soul. One day, however, while Zutuka and his evil brother were on their way to the village market, they met a benevolent water goddess known as Mamiwota. And because Zutuka was thoughtful enough as to greet her so respectfully, the goddess graciously decided, right there, to bless him. He would become the richest man in the village. And through him, his family and his entire village would be blessed abundantly.

Once upon a time I made a deal with the devil. It turns out I like playing in the dark. Over the years, I’ve become someone I’m proud of, someone dangerous. I’ll never be as dangerous as Malone, though. She’s one of the most feared leaders in Carver City, and her reputation is more than earned. Years ago, we had a single night together and she’s ignored me ever since. Imagine my surprise to discover she’s scheduled me for the final two weeks of my contract. Maybe I should be afraid. Everyone else fears Malone. Instead, all I feel is anticipation. It’s time to balance the scales, once and for all. The villains aren’t the only ones in Carver City a person should be wary of crossing. Sometimes the prettiest flower hides the deadliest poison…