Shivers of excitement shot up my spine. It was time to draw a line under the past and find a new me. By forty, I thought I’d be living my best life. When my idiot husband gambles away our savings, I divorce him and try not to kick him in the nuts when he fights me for custody of my cat. I throw myself into teaching English and survival skills to anyone unlucky enough to land in my night class in godforsaken London. That is, until my mum dies in a car crash and I suspect foul play. That's when it really gets weird. Mum’s barely cold in the ground when my cat goes missing. To top it all, the Metropolitan Police don’t seem to have heard of the detective investigating the accident. My first instinct is to have a nap and hope it all goes away, but I’m my mother's daughter. Secrets set me off like a bloodhound. When a mysterious man tells me I’m the last of an ancient magical druid lineage, I laugh in his face, but I’m intrigued. I want to believe there’s more to life than a messy divorce and a dead-end career. It doesn't seem crazy to follow him into the undergrowth in Crystal Palace Park. Not even when I hear my cat telling me to stop. To avenge my mum and survive a new magical world, I just need to pull on my control pants and hold on for the ride. If you’re a fan of Paranormal Women’s Fiction and magic-wielding heroines over forty, get your hands on Druid Heir Book 1 today. This series is complete at 7 books. Keywords: paranormal women's fiction, midlife, second chance, slow burn, found family, humor, myths, diverse, witches, werewolf shifters, vampires, strong female leads, books written by diverse authors, empowerment, mythical creatures, supernatural, N. Z. Nasser, London paranormal stories, magic, adventure, otherworldly, resilience, strength, survival, escapism, friendship, sisterhood, companionship, self-discovery, magical familiars, emotional, sentimental, wizards, strong female characters, goddesses, romance, secrets, fantasy set in city, urban fantasy, fantasy books for adults, books set in England.

Science and art collaborate to recreate life on Earth more than 200 million years ago

I’d animate gargoyles and vampire finches if that’s what it took to keep my loved ones safe. I have earned the grudging respect of London’s Otherworld, and I'm ready to enjoy my second chance at love with Ezra. But trouble still comes knocking. The old gods are rising, even the ones I’ve defeated before. They haven’t forgiven me for thwarting them. I might be a druid wielding Death’s sword, but without the Jericho necklace, I’m as exposed as a middle-aged jogger without a sports bra. Not even Wildwoods is a haven anymore. Especially when suspicions mount up that the Prime Sorcerer is acting against us. A woman in her midlife knows how to stand her ground, but confronting him is a dangerous game and risks ripping a chasm through the magical community. When my friends are sucked into the orbit of danger, it’s clear that none of us can escape unscathed and I'll have to take greater risks than ever before. Will we walk away with our lives, or will I be left with a knicker drawer full of regret? If you’re a fan of Paranormal Women’s Fiction and magic-wielding heroines over forty, get your hands on Druid Heir Book 5 today. This series is complete at 7 books. Keywords: paranormal women's fiction, midlife, second chance, slow burn, found family, humor, myths, diverse, witches, werewolf shifters, vampires, strong female leads, books written by diverse authors, empowerment, mythical creatures, supernatural, N. Z. Nasser, London paranormal stories, magic, adventure, dragons, otherworldly, resilience, strength, survival, escapism, friendship, sisterhood, companionship, self-discovery, magical familiars, emotional, sentimental, wizards, strong female characters, goddesses, romance, secrets, fantasy set in city, urban fantasy, fantasy books for adults, books set in England.

Do you believe that joy is a choice? Dawn Barton does. She's an upbeat Southerner with good hair and a successful business background, but she's had more heartache than most of us can imagine. Laughing Through the Ugly Cry is a collection of honest and sometimes raw stories. Dawn throws an arm around readers as she brings them along on her journey through the loss of a child, divorce, cancer, rape, the death of her only sibling, her husband's substance abuse, and finding her way back to Jesus in the middle of it all. Dawn shares her personal story to show readers how to find happiness and purpose even in the darkest of days. By laughing through the ugly cry, you will discover how to: Shut down negative feelings causing you to feel inadequate Identify the pros despite how challenging the cons may seem Embrace joy wherever you can find it Learn how to be honest with yourself and process grief in a healthy way Dawn writes, "If more women were open about just how difficult our lives feel and how hard we are on ourselves, I think we'd learn to relax a little and give ourselves the grace God gives us every day." Laughing Through the Ugly Cry is great for: Women of any age seeking comfort, encouragement, and inspiration Book clubs and girls' nights--Dawn poses thoughtful group questions to support meaningful conversations about growth and joy

“You have neither your grandmother’s talents, druid, nor her beauty, but you can make something of yourself yet." My friends and I might have saved the day against a vengeful god, but I still don’t know the first thing about the Otherworld. There’s training sessions with my mentor Ezra, history lessons with the vampire Orpheus, plus my haunting dragon dreams. It’s not easy to stay on track, especially given how distracted I am by Ezra’s crinkly eyes and hot bod. Who knew that a new love at forty would give me dewy skin and a renewed zest for life? When a series of earthquakes hits London, the Prime Sorcerer advises me to focus on my upcoming magical trial at Wildwoods. But I’m my own woman, and my instincts tell me to dig deeper even before the goddess Gaia invites me to tea. It’s not like I’m going to pass the trial anyway. I’ve already made enough enemies in the Otherworld to fill a granny annex. To find my place in the Otherworld, all I have to do is gather my allies and trust myself. How hard could that be? If you’re a fan of Paranormal Women’s Fiction and magic-wielding heroines over forty, grab Druid Heir Book 2 today. This series is complete at 7 books. Keywords: paranormal women's fiction, midlife, second chance, slow burn, found family, humor, myths, diverse, witches, werewolf shifters, vampires, strong female leads, books written by diverse authors, empowerment, mythical creatures, supernatural, N. Z. Nasser, London paranormal stories, magic, adventure, dragons, otherworldly, resilience, strength, survival, escapism, friendship, sisterhood, companionship, self-discovery, magical familiars, emotional, sentimental, wizards, strong female characters, goddesses, romance, secrets, fantasy set in city, urban fantasy, fantasy books for adults, books set in England.

Philosophical wisdom and practical advice for overcoming the problems of middle age How can you reconcile yourself with the lives you will never lead, with possibilities foreclosed, and with nostalgia for lost youth? How can you accept the failings of the past, the sense of futility in the tasks that consume the present, and the prospect of death that blights the future? In this self-help book with a difference, Kieran Setiya confronts the inevitable challenges of adulthood and middle age, showing how philosophy can help you thrive. You will learn why missing out might be a good thing, how options are overrated, and when you should be glad you made a mistake. You will be introduced to philosophical consolations for mortality. And you will learn what it would mean to live in the present, how it could solve your midlife crisis, and why meditation helps. Ranging from Aristotle, Schopenhauer, and John Stuart Mill to Virginia Woolf and Simone de Beauvoir, as well as drawing on Setiya’s own experience, Midlife combines imaginative ideas, surprising insights, and practical advice. Writing with wisdom and wit, Setiya makes a wry but passionate case for philosophy as a guide to life.

Aging is stressful for anyone in youth-oriented Western societies. Elderly people encounter difficulties and discrimination, sometimes because of reduced income, transportation and housing problems, and failing health, but often due to the persistent negative stereotypes that color others’attitudes and behavior toward old people. Gay men and lesbians experience these stresses, as well as the numerous additional problems associated with their sexual orientation. Gay Midlife and Maturity is a dynamic and positive volume that challenges the long-held stereotype of the sad and lonely old homosexual. A growing body of international literature, much of which is featured in this book, rejects this myth and illustrates that older gay men and lesbians cope well with the aging process and are comparable to younger homosexuals in social and psychological adjustment. A much-needed and major contribution, Gay Midlife and Maturity contains an enormous amount of information for readers interested in gerontology and homosexuality. Experts, for the first time, examine the relationship between the adjustment of gay people to later life and the age and sequence of the resolution of these typically early developmental processes, raising many questions about traditional theories of gay development. The existing contradictions and debates about gay men and accelerated aging are addressed. Other valuable chapters focus on a theory of successful aging, a comparison of the traditional gay community (pre-Stonewall) versus the organized gay community, the vital role of communication in gay relationships, the sexual attitudes and behaviors of older gay men, and much more. Additional interesting and worthwhile chapters of this thought-provoking new book include an in-depth interview with Don Bachardy about his 33-year relationship Christopher Isherwood, a renowned English writer who was 30 years his senior, and a review of the growing literature on gay aging.