A tough, snarky heroine and an aloof dragon shifter must work together to save Seattle in this new urban fantasy series.

After helping my steady dragon Zav with his family problems, I thought life would get back to normal. As normal as it can be when you're a hit woman responsible for hunting down bad guys.That was before a strange artifact showed up in a bog and turned my ancient dwarven sword into a magical beacon. Now my enemies can sense it from hundreds of miles away. More than that, every club-toting, over-muscled orc, ogre, and troll who would like a magic sword can sense it.Usually, fighting off opportunists wouldn't be a problem (they don't call me Ruin Bringer without reason), but even I can only handle so many attacks at a time. And Zav isn't as much help as you'd think, since he's busy on a quest for a ring.No, it's not a Lord of the Rings kind of quest. My boss put it in Zav's head that since we're mated in the dragon way, we should also be married in the human way. Now, he's off to find the perfect engagement ring. Given his taste in human footwear, I may be in trouble for more reasons than my marked sword.Not only is there no chance of my life getting back to normal any time soon, but if I can't figure out how to fix my sword, I'll be dead long before I can get married.

A frail, fatherlessl boy, whose mother is ill , goes to stay unwillingly with cousins. There he finds his strength, makes unusual friends,and discovers magic talents, using them to save the world from falling into the hands of the pink witch The author has created characters, both human and other, together with gripping adventure, which will enthrall and entertain The story weaves situations in childhood encompassing fears, tears, humour, achievements, dawning wisdom and sheer wonder. Delightful! Inspirational! Unforgettable!. Grown-ups can also enjoy reading 'Castle Magic' Pamela Koutroulides As a child, I had bad health and spent 3 years in hospital totally separated from my Mum and Dad. Visits were few. I retreated into my own world as there was no adult to share with. I learnt to read and read avidly. Sometimes I told stories to other children. I didnt mix with ordinary children until I came out of hospital at 8. I was rather clumsy at it When I grew up I became a social worker, wife, mother and grandmother, chesty illnesses following me throughout.. I often spent holidays in a flat in an English castle. It was there that the seeds of this story grew. In my fifties, I journeyed into my imagination and began painting, using pattern and bright colour. During this time Stephen, the hero of Castle Magic, was born in my imagination. In my sixties I began writing, slowly discovering my own true voice, and began the greatest adventure of my life. Stephens talents, like mine were enhanced by his circumstances, sensitivity revealing the magic and wonder of the world around. There is magic also within and Stephen wants to encourage everyone to find it. www.annepoltera.com 50% profits from this book go to 'Demelza', a charity providing hospice care for children. See inside

Inspired by the work of eminent scholar Richard Kieckhefer, The Sacred and the Sinister explores the ambiguities that made (and make) medieval religion and magic so difficult to differentiate. The essays in this collection investigate how the holy and unholy were distinguished in medieval Europe, where their characteristics diverged, and the implications of that deviation. In the Middle Ages, the natural world was understood as divinely created and infused with mysterious power. This world was accessible to human knowledge and susceptible to human manipulation through three modes of engagement: religion, magic, and science. How these ways of understanding developed in light of modern notions of rationality is an important element of ongoing scholarly conversation. As Kieckhefer has emphasized, ambiguity and ambivalence characterize medieval understandings of the divine and demonic powers at work in the world. The ten chapters in this volume focus on four main aspects of this assertion: the cult of the saints, contested devotional relationships and practices, unsettled judgments between magic and religion, and inconclusive distinctions between magic and science. Freshly insightful, this study of ambiguity between magic and religion will be of special interest to scholars in the fields of medieval studies, religious studies, European history, and the history of science. In addition to the editor, the contributors to this volume are Michael D. Bailey, Kristi Woodward Bain, Maeve B. Callan, Elizabeth Casteen, Claire Fanger, Sean L. Field, Anne M. Koenig, Katelyn Mesler, and Sophie Page.

In Michigan in the mid-1950s, Lewis Barnavelt is convinced that the series of accidents he and his uncle are experiencing are the result of a curse by a mysterious, hooded figure that may be part of his uncle's past.

A pack of paints, a set of pens, and unlimited creativity throw two friends into an enchanted, fast-paced adventure. ZuZu's first summer without her best friend is looking pretty grim, until she meets new kid Andrew at a visit to the historic Mapleton Mansion. Together they stumble upon some enchanted art supplies and discover that the shapes they draw and paint can come to life. Their creations are harmless—but ZuZu and Andrew aren't the only ones with access to magic. Soon, nightmarish half-machine, half-living creatures begin appearing around town, controlled by a power-hungry "caster" with a sinister mission. It's up to ZuZu and Andrew to use their newfound abilities to protect their community. "There are deliciously chilling descriptions of scuttling, otherworldly creations and resurrections gone awry, but there is also delight to be found in enchanted artwork and blossoming friendships. A thrilling introduction to a newfangled magic."—Booklist "A satisfying, compelling adventure with an original magical construct and bright, appealing protagonists."—Kirkus Reviews "The magical rules created by Voskuil feel exciting . . . . This creative fantasy will move well with fans of Tae Keller's When You Trap a Tiger."—School Library Journal

Spooky twists and soaring prose make this foodie update on Hansel and Gretel an unforgettable must-read. Lorelei is bowled over by Splendid Academy—Principal Trapp encourages the students to run in the hallways, the classrooms are stocked with candy dishes, and the cafeteria serves lavish meals featuring all Lorelei's favorite foods. But the more time she spends at school, the more suspicious she becomes. Why are her classmates growing so chubby? And why do the teachers seem so sinister? It's up to Lorelei and her new friend Andrew to figure out what secret this supposedly splendid school is hiding. What they discover chills their bones—and might even pick them clean! Mix one part magic, one part mystery, and just a dash of Grimm, and you've got the recipe for a cozy-creepy read that kids will gobble up like candy.