An illustrated exploration of our limitless fascination with doors, gates, and bridges. The word "portal" comes from the Latin for "gate," but it refers to any place of ingress and egress. According to architectural historian Philippa Lewis, a portal "is generally an optimistic thing, both literally and metaphorically . . . The word encapsulates the idea of passing through, to a new opportunity, to making progress or moving forward, to entering fresh new worlds." That may be the reason so many people are drawn to the idea of portals--from King Nebuchadnezzar's Ishtar Gate through the walls of Babylon, to mountain passes, the doorway to the Raphael Loggia at the Vatican, pontoons, and drawbridges. Portals also have enlivened fiction and lore--what would Arabian Nights have been without the magical command "Open Sesame!" or Alice in Wonderland if Alice had not followed the White Rabbit down a rabbit hole? And in many cultures around the world, a rainbow is a portal that "stands for peace, tolerance, respect for life and diversity." In this beautifully illustrated book, the seemingly everyday means of ingress and egress become things of beauty and cultural significance.

William and his brother Daniel come home from school one day to find their parents have disappeared - It's the first of a series of shocks they have to cope with, not the least of which is finding that their house has been built over an inter-stellar portal - It's some time before they can solve the mystery of where their parents have gone and why - and in the meantime they have to cope with visiting aliens, chickens, and making their own lunch - It's not easy - Not easy at all.

Davin Blackthorn, now called Marek, has gone from being the always-disappointing second son of General Kel Blackthorn to tyhe leader of the Sudo and Nortes Republics. Once a shy, willowy scholar, he has become, due to his manipulation of God’s Power, a giant of a man, with incredible abilities and the capacity to rule the known world. But he faces a multitude of problems. Two of the countries in the plains refuse to acknowledge his leadership. The Elitos, a northern faction of the mountain-dwelling Chanche nation, where Davin learned to subdue and control his abilities, have declared war on their southern brethren and refuse to ally with the rest of the nation to support Davin. Davin prepares armies to face those of the eastern plains nations, and their Elito allies in the mountains. Complicating the situation, the Elitos have also allied with an alien species who exist in another dimension, and who covet Davin’s world for an expansion of their empire. Can he defeat this massive alliance, forced to fight on multiple fronts? Or has he finally reached the limit of God’s Power?

In this latest Amelia Peabody mystery there's more trouble in store for our intrepid Egyptologist. This time it is of a distinctly personal nature. Her niece's new, Egyptian, husband stands accused of forging priceless antiquities. Is he guilty, or merely the fall guy for some unscrupulous villain? Meanwhile, matters are complicated by the arrival of Amelia's detestable nephew who begins an ardently amorous pursuit of her son's wife, Nefret...

"An entertaining read for fans of science fiction …" —Kirkus Reviews Magazine What if you lost your memory and found yourself transported to a parallel world containing no electricity, no running water, and unkind villagers who keep dark secrets? Those questions become all too real for sixteen-year-old Laura who awakens in an unfamiliar house before an unknown force whisks her to a seemingly parallel Earth where the residents worship a sinister deity. Disoriented and confused, Laura does her best to fit in with the villagers of Sparkling Falls while desperately trying to regain her lost memories and find her way back home. When a little girl goes missing under bizarre circumstances, Laura and her newfound friends set out to find her. But someone doesn’t like Laura digging into the village’s mysterious past, and they’ll do anything to stop her from discovering the secret behind Sparkling Falls.

In "Voice of the Portals I: The First Gateway," readers embark on a transformative journey that transcends the boundaries of time and space. Through the ancient whispers of the earth and the silent songs of the stars, the narrative unfolds, inviting exploration not only of the physical marvels of our planet but also of the profound depths of our inner landscapes. As the story unfolds, readers are drawn into a world where the power of storytelling serves as a beacon, urging them to embrace each day as a page in an epic saga. Challenging landscapes, transformative wisdom, and bonding laughter highlight the rich tapestry of shared human experience, promising adventures that stretch beyond the known. This journey extends beyond mere exploration; it is an invitation to forge a deeper bond with our world. It calls for discovery in stillness, wisdom in whispers, and connections beyond technology, echoing the unity of the universe. “Farewell for now”, the author bids, "Until we gather once more at the next gateway, ready to delve deeper into the mysteries that unite us."