I was promised against my will to an empirical general. . .so I escaped. Right into the arms of an even more ruthless Vandar warlord. I'd thought things had been bad when I'd been ordered to marry the repulsive Zagrath general. But then I'd been captured by the empire's most deadly enemy--the Vandar raiders. With their battle kilts and tails, the raiders are known for being fierce warriors who never take prisoners. Until now. The fear I feel when I am taken by the menacing Vandar warlord is confirmed when I discover why he treats me like an honored guest. Taking the general's bride is one thing, but to strike the most personal blow the Vandar must claim me as his, taking me to his bed until his mating marks appear on my skin and mark me as his true mate. But he has no intention of forcing me. He wants to make a deal-become his willingly and I will get what I've always wanted-my freedom from a loveless, arranged marriage. Can I agree to a deal with the darkly dominant warlord who stokes both my fear and desire? Even if being claimed by the Vandar is only revenge for him and freedom for me, will my heart remain untouched as he pillages my body? And will the general give me up so easily, or will he come for both of us with all the firepower of the empire?

Who were the world’s most successful pirates, and why? “Interesting and very readable . . . Little clearly knows his subject well.” —International Journal of Naval History More than just simple retellings of tried-and-true stories of buccaneers on the high seas, this book focuses on pirating tactics of the 1500s through the 1800s to give an in-depth view of how pirates functioned through history. Stories of the thirteen most famous pirates as they raid major ships and pillage coastal villages reveal how the pirates approached such invasions—and how they managed to elude authorities and sometimes whole navies. In addition, vivid firsthand descriptions recreate the excitement, fear, and fury of the most famous raids by these outlaws of the ocean. Delving deep to show piracy’s profound impact on trade, politics, military strategy, culture, and individual lives, the book sifts truth from myth, carefully reconstructs the geopolitical context of each story, and analyzes the tactics that brought the pirates glory, or led to their downfall. Also included are archival images gathered from around the world by the author, a former Navy SEAL and consultant on maritime security.

The first book in a new trilogy. When 15-year-old Beck Phillips travels by train to the secluded village of Kingsplot to live with his wealthy but estranged uncle, Beck discovers some dark family secrets.

Contents.

The illicit traffic of art is an important problem that affects modern life all over the world. This work addresses the issue using the showcase of Cambodia, where looters systematically destroy cultural heritage. Beginning with an overview of Cambodian history and culture, it explores every aspect of the illicit traffic of Cambodian art. It analyzes the history, size, and structure of art trafficking in Cambodia, its growth and profit margins, and the participants and international crime syndicate involved. It also describes the "demand" side of the story: antique dealers, collectors, auction houses, and museums. The work deals with the impact of the illicit trafficking on the legal, political, and economic systems of Cambodia, as well as its effect on archeological, historical, and religious values and the cultural identity of the nation. The work also analyzes the current long-term and short-term policies proposed by the Cambodian government and suggests policy alternatives that may be implemented by the Cambodian authorities. An appendix includes the description of all cases of the restitution of objects of Khmer art.