When an innocent, quirky woman meets the Greed serpent Medusa, what will happen? As the history books have told, one glance at her victim will turn them to stone. Medusa catches the blind woman's gaze, but she does not turn into a statue as any other human would. You'll come to see the strange spark between the blind woman and Medusa come to life as you flip each page.

Within this dramatic and profound collection of stories, New York Times bestselling author Michael Gurian explores the cultural and spiritual gulf between Muslims and Westerners. From Ankara to Seattle, the West Bank to Manhattan, these provocative stories continually surprise with scenes of shocking brutality and improbable enlightenment.In A Desperate Pride, a Palestinian woman falls in love with Raf Horowitz, an American Jew who arrives in Israel with reckless idealism. In The Reincarnation of Donaldo Fuertes, an elderly writer recruits a young African American Muslim to accompany him on a pilgrimage to his homeland. And in the title story, a young hospice nurse finds her life course completely changed as she fulfills her duties to a Somali woman scarred by her upbringing.With the grace and craftsmanship of a veteran storyteller, Gurian's collection is an emotional powerhouse filled with animosity and love, heartache and understanding, disillusionment and hope. Lyrical and absorbing, these stories reveal the humanity of a culture so often in conflict with our own.

Amy Bloom was nominated for a National Book Award for her first collection, Come to Me, and her fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Story, Antaeus, and other magazines, and in The Best American Short Stories and Prize Stories: The O. Henry Awards. In her new collection, she enhances her reputation as a true artist of the form. Here are characters confronted with tragedy, perplexed by emotions, and challenged to endure whatever modern life may have in store. A loving mother accompanies her daughter in her journey to become a man, and discovers a new, hopeful love. A stepmother and stepson meet again after fifteen years and a devastating mistake, and rediscover their familial affection for each other. And in "The Story," a widow bent on seducing another woman's husband constructs and deconstructs her story until she has "made the best and happiest ending" possible "in this world."

“Lynsay Sands spins a funny, laughable tale.” —Eloisa James on Taming the Highland Bride Adrian Montfort, Earl of Mowbray, had been warned that Lady Clarissa Crambray was dangerous. From stomping on toes to setting wigs on fire, the stunning beauty was clearly a force to be reckoned with. Still, he’s in need of a wife and is sure he can handle one woman and her “unfortunate past.” Intrigued by the mysterious vixen, he soon discovers he’s greatly underestimated the lady… Clarissa would like to find a husband, but perhaps not as much as her stepmother would like one for her. The woman has forbidden Clarissa from wearing her spectacles so she can look prettier, but how is she to see her potential suitors? Besides, she’s already caused enough mayhem to earn a rather horrible nickname. Just when she is about to give up hope of anyone asking her to dance, a man comes to lead her to the dance floor…a dark, handsome blur of a man.

""Someone really should make a movie of this story. It's better than most of the scripts I see."" Jacqui Gray, actress ""I loved Know Your Place and was especially enthralled by the nerve-jangling crescendo. Can't wait for the sequel!"" Helen Alexander ""A fast-paced tale of paranoia and vengeance in modern London. A promising first novel."" Andy Sibley ""This is a captivating book, taut with suspense and unfolding drama. Impossible to put down."" Sally WhitearIt was a humdrum kind of life ... polishing City boys' shoes by day, and counting the meagre pennies by nigh.

Have you ever wondered how a blind person pours a cup of coffee? Or how they and their guide dog know when it's safe to cross a busy road? When Lois Strachan lost her sight at the age of 21 years she had to learn the answers to these and countless other questions of how to live as a blind person in a sighted world. In this delightfully quirky and entertaining book Lois shares some of the secrets she discovered about how to live an "ordinary" life in an extraordinary way despite her blindness. "An entertaining, informative and educational read that gives you an insight into the life of an inspirational woman who lives life to the fullest. Well worth reading." Gail Glover - Executive Director, South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind "A must-read for anyone, with or without a disability." Hanif Kruger -Resource Centre Manager, South African National Council for the Blind "Lois's stories provide insights on how to positively deal with the challenges in life to emerge victorious." Bob "Idea Man Hooey - author of "Why didn't I THINK of that?" "In her fascinating account of the life of a blind person, Lois Strachan lifts the lid on aspects of life that most of us take for granted. We should all learn a lot from Lois's different way of seeing." George Mahood - Author of Free Country & Every Day is a Holiday