Their hometown scorched to the earth, a self-doubting young man and his naïve, childish half-elf friend depart on a quest to find closure by determining the source of the mysterious blaze. Up against a megalomaniacal sorcerer and his headstrong apprentice, their exploits draw the ire of the magical organization that seeks to keep the world's forces in balance. In a world where magic is practiced like a science, they must face their demons head-on in a world they barely understand, or risk losing everything to their enemies' twisted plot.

**The paperback comprises the entire story, Parts 1 and 2, which are published separately as Kindle books.** Armed with a crossbow, Mike Wade roams the dystopian USA deserts in search of his captive daughter Kara. He travels by highway, the Colorado River, and desert chaparral. Bad things tend to happen in threes: because of global warming, the West is now completely on fire. The temperature has gone up everywhere by an average of 10 degrees F. They've lost control of the massive wildfires, which have scorched California, Nevada, Colorado, and the Southwest; the fires themselves are creeping eastward at seven miles per hour. In the chaos, an authoritarian strongman has taken over the USA, promising to make short work of both the fires and the lawlessness. Finally, power loves a vacuum, and there are rumors that invaders from overseas have landed in California. The problem for Michael Wade and his family is that his daughter Kara had been taking a year of college abroad in Mexico to specialize in Spanish. She hasn't been able to make it home, and Wade has set off from Vermont by train and on foot, with his backpack and essentials, including a crossbow, to rescue her. Along the way he joins other refugees on his treacherous journey to the Southwest, including Phoebe Tate, a funky young lady who made jewelry in the desert, Wiley James, a trucker from Wyoming who was forced to abandon his rig, and Jonesy, a riverboat captain who takes them down the Colorado River. Society has broken down; there is no broadcast news from the West anymore, just quasi El Presidente's propaganda and creepily soothing explanations for everything. Only the trains run here and there; oil production and imports have slowed to a trickle. Most people don't have fuel and the train system has been left intact to provide the regime with its necessities. Wade only knows that his last communication from Kara came from Sierra Vista in southern Arizona. He'll have to get there by whichever way he can, by river and desert.

This book will inspire anyone who reads it to cook. The recipes offer home-cooks, amateurs and seasoned chefs alike an opportunity to experiment with both new and old techniques, through easy to follow, concise instructions that will really ‘up anyone’s game’ in the kitchen. You will learn how to create some magical dishes, as well as discover invaluable insider tips that will transform a meal from the ordinary to the exceptional. With touching personal stories to complement each dish, the book celebrates the art of cooking through stunning visuals and eloquent portrayals of different regional cuisine, including Nordic, Italian, Irish, Japanese and Vietnamese. But there is more. This beautifully crafted cookbook is also an inspiring memoir that will bring hope to individuals and families touched by the experience of addiction. Rekindling the Fire brings to life Martin’s backstory of addiction through the prism of mindfulness. It demonstrates how a passion, in this case cooking, has the potential to transform lives. Each chapter has captivating prose that speaks directly to the reader about how cooking is more than food preparation, but also a mindful journey of self-discovery and healing. This element of the book elevates the narrative and propels us into a world of alchemy that is completely unique in the cookbook genre. Enjoy!

Describes the experiences of a newcomer to the Yukon when he attempts to hike through the snow to reach a mining claim.

At the age of twenty-three, Deanne Burch accompanied her husband, Ernest "Tiger" Burch to the Inuit village of Kivalina, Alaska, a barrier island 23 miles above the Arctic Circle. Tiger was conducting a participant study of the natives, whereas Deanne was a city girl - ethnocentric, naïve, and completely unprepared for the journey she was about to embark on. In Kivalina, she lived on the edge of two worlds - the one she left behind and the one where she reluctantly participated in all aspects of the women's lives. Skinning seals, cleaning and drying fish, cutting beluga and caribou to store became her way of life. Plumbing, running water and electricity were not available. Loneliness was a constant companion, although she tried to be accepted by the Inuit women who were suspicious of all white women. Gradually Deanne adapted to living in a culture she knew nothing about. The midnight sun was followed by relentless darkness and brutal weather. With this came a journey into the unknown. First was a fateful camping trip where they nearly lost their lives, followed six days later by a fire in their house, an event that left Tiger badly burned. During the three months Tiger spent in the hospital, his only wish was to return to Kivalina and finish what he had started. Despite horrific burns on his face and hands and seared lungs from which he never recuperated, Tiger and Deanne returned to the village to complete the study. Instead of believing in fairy tales and happy endings, Deanne became a woman of strength ready to face the next challenge. Over fifty years later she remembers the young girl who left on an unknown journey. A journey that will live in her heart forever.

The Creative Journey demystifies the creative process by breaking it down into stages of the hero's journey narrative from myth, literature and film. Each stage in the journey - from seeing the problem to sharing the solution - is analyzed through the lens of scientific research and real-world examples to show how we can all be creative.The author wrote this book for a university honors seminar in order to show students from all disciplines how they can enhance their creativity and enrich their lives. Young Millennials and Gen Z who are looking for individuality, distinctiveness and meaning will especially benefit from understanding and applying this framework for work and life.