The devastating Texas drought of 2011 causes hardships for all living things. Secrets of the past are exposed as the lakes go dry. The skeleton beneath the lake has secrets extending back in history to the suffering endured by German immigrants who escaped the persecution of Bismarck in the 1870's. A modern Texas rancher faces the challenges of the drought as she unravels the secrets that have been hidden beneath the lake for decades. The natural partnership between the rancher, a Tennessee Walking Horse, and a German Shepherd dog is key to surviving the drought and discovering the clues needed to understand the mystery surrounding the skeleton buried beneath the lake. This book is dedicated to the natural partnership between animals and humans. Understanding the theme of romance versus reality is an important aspect of providing forever homes for animals. The contrast between the romance and the reality of developing a natural horse and human partnership is explored in this book.

Life is a journey full of mysterious detours and partnerships that I could never have imagined even in my wildest dreams. This book is the true story of a natural horsemanship journey and the horse - human partnership resulting from one of those unplanned detours. Rocky was a very angry horse when we bought him in 2003. I didn't understand what Rocky was trying to tell me with his expressions; but, I did understand that he could be very aggressive toward humans when he was angry. Rocky was screaming for help and no one was listening. This book is a training manual documenting the natural horsemanship methods that I used to understand Rocky and his innate left brained introverted personality so that we could bond with a powerful horse - human partnership. This book is dedicated to the natural partnership between animals and humans. Understanding the reality of developing a partnership with a difficult horse is essential to providing forever homes for horses that deserve another chance.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Anathem, Reamde, and Cryptonomicon comes an exciting and thought-provoking science fiction epic—a grand story of annihilation and survival spanning five thousand years. What would happen if the world were ending? A catastrophic event renders the earth a ticking time bomb. In a feverish race against the inevitable, nations around the globe band together to devise an ambitious plan to ensure the survival of humanity far beyond our atmosphere, in outer space. But the complexities and unpredictability of human nature coupled with unforeseen challenges and dangers threaten the intrepid pioneers, until only a handful of survivors remain . . . Five thousand years later, their progeny—seven distinct races now three billion strong—embark on yet another audacious journey into the unknown . . . to an alien world utterly transformed by cataclysm and time: Earth. A writer of dazzling genius and imaginative vision, Neal Stephenson combines science, philosophy, technology, psychology, and literature in a magnificent work of speculative fiction that offers a portrait of a future that is both extraordinary and eerily recognizable. As he did in Anathem, Cryptonomicon, the Baroque Cycle, and Reamde, Stephenson explores some of our biggest ideas and perplexing challenges in a breathtaking saga that is daring, engrossing, and altogether brilliant.

Bakery owner Willow Dalton's friendship with Zane Walker has always been a bit complicated. Now a scrumptiously hot A-list actor, Zane's always had a reputation as a player. He's arrogant, and he's definitely not boyfriend material. Sure, he did Willow a favor by agreeing to take her virginity before college, but is that reason enough for her to go along with a fake engagement a decade later--even if it comes with a real diamond ring? Zane should have known better. Nothing involving Willow has ever been easy. Still, he knows her better than anyone, and becoming America's hottest new leading man means cleaning up his reputation. An "engagement" to curvy, sass-mouthed Willow is the perfect PR move...provided no one gets hurt. Now Zane and Willow's little white lie has turned into an irresistible recipe for sweet temptation. And soon no one will be able to tell the difference between their fake engagement and the real thing--including them.

In 'Historic Tales: The Romance of Reality (King Arthur)', the editors have masterfully curated a collection that spans the rich tapestry of Arthurian legend, intertwining the valiant narratives of chivalry and adventure that have captivated audiences for centuries. This anthologys strength lies in its diverse literary styles, from the noble prose of Sir Thomas Malory to the engaging retellings by Charles Morris, offering readers a comprehensive view of the enduring appeal and complexity of King Arthur's tales. The selections within highlight the versatile ways in which the Arthurian legends have been approached, reflecting both the medieval imagination and its lasting influence on Western literature. The inclusion of both seminal texts and lesser-known gems provides a unique opportunity to explore the depth and breadth of the Arthurian world. The contributing authors, Sir Thomas Malory and Charles Morris, bring distinct voices to the collection, rooted in different historical periods yet united by their fascination with Arthurian lore. Malory's 15th-century work provides a foundational narrative for the genre, while Morris's 19th-century contributions reflect a Victorian fascination with medievalism. Together, their works exemplify the evolution of Arthurian legend across centuries, embodying shifts in cultural values, literary styles, and historical contexts. This anthology is a remarkable feat, bridging the gap between scholarship and accessibility. It is an essential addition for those eager to explore the multifaceted narratives of Arthurian legend, offering insights into heroism, morality, and the human condition as depicted in these timeless stories. Readers are encouraged to delve into this collection not only for its entertainment value but for a deeper understanding of the cultural and literary significance that the legend of King Arthur continues to hold today.

A teenage boy in 1940s Italy becomes part of an underground railroad that helps Jews escape through the Alps, but when he is recruited to be the personal driver for a powerful Third Reich commander, he begins to spy for the Allies.

Journeys on the Silk Road Through Ages—Romance, Legend, Reality is a compelling narrative about the legendary Silk Road, down the ages. It takes us back to the nearly forgotten times when the dusty, long road was discovered by herders and nomads in search of pastures and oases. It was a long trek into the unknown. This gradually turned into the fabled ‘Silk Road’ spanning from China and across Central Asia, with its numerous trade routes, staging posts, caravanserais on the one hand, and the rugged landscape through steppes, across mountains, deserts and nations on the other. The Silk Road stood out like a great artery, that sustained for centuries. The Road with its routes conveyed not only commerce but also ideas and philosophy of the far-east China to the far-flung Roman Empire in the west, drawing from and contributing to other regions and countries that fell along the way – Turkestan, Afghanistan, India, Persia, Mesopotamia, Palestine, Phoenicia and Anatolia, thus, linking the ancient and the medieval worlds. It was an enterprise of gigantic proportions; the great highway witnessed trade in almost all products, with silk, precious stones, porcelain, metals, and horses as chief commodities. Of these, silk was the foremost merchandise that merchants transported on camel caravans and upon mules from the Land of Serica. Slaves too were traded. Monks and warriors also walked along the trodden path. Merchants exchanged goods which made trade possible bringing in a flow of wealth, while monks and warriors exchanged philosophy, ideas, and statecraft, despite conflicts and wars. The narrative travels back to the times when the road started making history by joining imperial Xi’an with imperial Rome – a distance of more than 8,000kms – during the period of China’s Han Dynasty, sometime around 200 BC. This strangely endured till the present days of Communist China and OBOR, deliberating the Chinese Puzzle. The book is an adventurous amalgamation of history, travel and the unanticipated, and not merely a clichéd travel account. It presents a fascinating story of realms, rulers, travellers and merchants, both ancient and modern, with captivating collection of anecdotes, lores and current realities, from far and wide. Its brilliant web makes the book immensely readable.