In the chaos following Italy's surrender in 1943, Germany decides to grab Italy's gold reserves, moving them from bank vaults in Rome to secret hiding locations. An old fortress near Fortezza, an alpine village on the border of Italy and Austria, is chosen as the ideal hiding place for the stores of gold. As a result, the village becomes the focus of the attention of the Reich's High Command, the Allied Forces, and Roberto, a fourteen year old boy working as a translator in a German work camp. In The Golden Fort readers of World War II-era fiction will find an absorbing novel that they will truly treasure.

The volume is conceived as a self-learning material as it includes the keys to most activities although it needs to be supported by the instructor in the classroom, trying to emphasise the written and oral communicative necessities of the international business world.

Wow, you really never saw a Floxie before, mh? it says, insulted. A Floxie? Sure, I saw like a hundred of them before, I shout sarcastically. You saw like a thousand, but okay, he counters, upset, and stares offended at me. He points to Rosalie. She never saw one before. She's new! She's a Sklarewsti! Sure. I just pretend that I know what you're talking about. Rosalie nods, turns around, and grins at me. Whatever. Stupid humans. Don't take too many words in your mouth, Floxie. I warn him, still hiding behind the pillow.

John Whittenburg, born in 1880 in a covered wagon, went to work at age fourteen earning his own living. In 1904, at age twenty-four, he was hired by the Fort Worth, Texas fire department because of his ability to handle horses and the horse drawn fire wagon. His leadership qualities led to promotions. His integrity led to being highly respected by his peers and community. John retired in 1947, as Battalion Chief after 43 years of service. In 1972, he was again honored as the oldest living fireman at age ninty-two. The information from his original Chief's log, when he opened #12 fire station, along with family history, pictures and newspaper articles are woven together with fictitious dialogue. John's story takes place when the fire department had no formal training. The men learned as they fought the fires. Anyone interested in history, true stories, biographies or firefighters will enjoy reading Duty-Honor-Courage. Book Review Having known Mr. Whittenburg in my childhood, I was delighted to read this book about his life. All I knew then was that he was very tall, a fire chief, and loved little kids. It's been such a joy to read about his whole life, as well as to learn about the development of fire fighting science. Even as a youngster, I perceived that he was laid back, gentle and persuasive, traits that took him from a hopeless future of dirt farming to a fulfilling career, in which he taught by example and insightful explanation and inspired hundreds of individuals to be their best selves. There's always someone who trains and teaches the rest. Mr. Whittenburg's ability to put the science of fire fighting into a curriculum for others belies his fourth grade education. Thanks to Janie for bringing this story to us. - Marian Pearn

On the magical island of the Three Kingdoms, disparaged teenagers quest to save their people from dragons, duplicity and dictatorship. This is a book of fairy tales, but not of happy endings. Don’t expect to fall asleep to sweet dreams when you’re done. Content warnings: violence, abuse, kidnapping, blood, homophobia. Please consume responsibly.

In the 1860s a turbulent and battered Mexico fought for its survival against a French invasion. For a moment in time, the world order as we know it today was in question. The nascent United States, an independent Mexico, Europe the worlds balance of power hung in the balance in a chaotic swirl of plots and intrigues.Yet from this struggle was born a deep national pride and sense of confidence as Mexico, too long a nation taken for granted, rose to the challenge and united in heroic resistance. Follow the action as the interests of Mexicans, Confederates, Unionists, French, and English collide. Emperors scheme and flail, soldiers fight and die, nations clash and in the vortex, one young boy follows his heart to defend his country and become a man.