Every artist needs a little pep talk now and then. An inspiring tool and beautiful art book in one, Creative Pep Talk offers illustrated words of wisdom from 50 of today's leading creative professionals. With full-color, typographic prints and explanatory statements from a host of creative luminaries—including Aaron James Draplin, Oliver Jeffers, Lisa Congdon, Mike Perry, and many others—this volume encourages artists to stay excited, experiment boldly, and conquer fear. "Create curiosity," "Learn to say no," and "If you can't be good, be different" are just a few of the motivational maxims in this visually rich collection that's perfect for students, designers, artists, and creatives at any stage in their careers.

In this Christmas mystery, lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, are on the beat after a body turns up in the snow and a journalist is the prime suspect. Christmas has come early to the town of Paterson, New Jersey, in the form of a snowstorm that dumps two feet of snow on the ground. Lawyer Andy Carpenter likes snow – white Christmas and all that – but it can cause problems for the walks he takes his dogs on every day. When Andy’s golden retriever, Tara, goes to play in the snow and instead discovers a body, Andy ends up on the phone with the local newspaper editor. The murder victim is Mayor Alex Oliva, who had an infamous relationship with the newspaper. Last year a young reporter published an expose, and Oliva had him fired for libel. Now, the young reporter – and prime suspect – is in need of a lawyer. Andy agrees to take the case, though it’s not looking good this holiday season. The evidence is piling up faster than the snow in Best in Snow, the next Christmas mystery in the bestselling Andy Carpenter series from David Rosenfelt.

Brandy is a seventh grader who feels invisible. Her English class is given the assignment to keep a diary for a few weeks, and Brandy takes snippets of conversations from girls in her class and creates a make-believe world in which she is popular, loved and cared for. When real-life gets too painful, Brandy escapes the only way she knows.

"When one brother comes to the aid of another in the confines of a small cave, the young men have an opportunity to examine the circumstances that slowly drove them apart over the years. Slowly they rediscover the friendship and love that was lost to them, and confront the things that truly hold them apart. This is a powerful play with extraordinary roles for two young men and it builds to a final breathtaking moment."--Publisher's description

Andy Frecka invites you to ride along in the backseat of his succession of variously reliable vehicles as he travels the back roads of a Russia that you have never seen before. You'll learn about the culture (don't "just look" at the car dealership), the language (complete with sounds that do not exist), and the customs (a steam bath in a banya is both a cure-all and an expression of welcome). You'll also learn about the people, from Andy's lively and resilient family to his resourceful comrades-in-arms to the surprising and interesting people he meets in his mission work. Meet the mysterious spindle maker, the kind customs agent, and the optimistic taxi driver as you walk, hitch-hike, fly, and drive your way across Russia with a regular guy who has a knack for the odd meeting, the chance observation, the apt phrase, and the ability to laugh at himself. In 1995 Andy Frecka left behind a promising career as a scrap yard security guard to follow God's call to missions in Russia. Now ten years in full-time ministry in the city of Perm, he enjoys not just telling, but living stories together with his wife Rachel and their four small children.

COMING SOON AS THE HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIE NANTUCKET NOEL A Nantucket shopkeeper discovers that Christmas is the perfect occasion to make unexpected friendships . . . to warm the coldest of hearts—and maybe even find love. Christina Antonioni is preparing for the holidays at her Nantucket toy shop, unpacking last-minute shipments and decorating for her loyal Christmas shoppers. But when her Scrooge of a landlord, Oscar Bittlesman, raises her rent, it seems nearly impossible for Christina to continue business on the wharf. Even so, Christina hopes there is a warm heart underneath Oscar’s steely exterior. When she bonds with Wink, his sweet, young granddaughter who frequents the shop, it becomes clear that perhaps he isn’t so cold after all. And with the help of Wink’s uncle, who happens to be a charming and very handsome bachelor, this may be the best Christmas any of them could have ever imagined. Nancy Thayer’s enchanting Nantucket setting provides the perfect backdrop for this holiday love story.