"Action! Romance! Spies! Secrets! The Brilliance of Stars has it all. This electrifying read from J'nell Ciesielski comes to life with historical details and sparkling descriptions that will leave the reader begging for book two!" —Amy E. Reichert Amid the chaos of the Great War, two elite assassins learn precisely how dangerous it is to have something—or someone—worth losing. Washington, DC, 1914. Ivy Olwen knows how to survive on the streets without two coins to rub together. Then destiny thrusts her into the nest of a covert agency of assassins sworn to drive back the world’s darkness, and she acquires a new set of lethal skills. Her education—from explosives to etiquette, sharpshooting to sabotage—is as far reaching as the organization’s missions. But it’s the hours she spends among the towering bookshelves in the library and stargazing on the roof with Agent Jack Vale that make her heart fly. Jack knew plenty of hardship before the agency refined his rough edges, transforming him into the man who never misses. But he didn’t know the feeling of home until Ivy entered his world. Now Jack’s heart drums with a singular purpose: he will fight for her, fight alongside her. No matter the cost. When the pair is sent on a seemingly simple mission to take down Russia’s newest and most dangerous arms dealer—a soulless man using the Great War as an opportunity to further his own depraved agenda—they discover that no amount of training could have prepared them for a manhunt that takes them across the frozen tundra, to the Crimean Peninsula, and along the Trans-Siberian Railway . . . only to discover that there is evil in the world they will never understand. The first book of an epic duology from bestselling author J’nell Ciesielski, The Brilliance of Stars incorporates her signature blend of thrilling adventure, glamorous espionage, and sweeping romance. Historical romance set during World War I Book length: approximately 116,000 words The first Jack and Ivy novel; book two, To Free the Stars—coming August 2023 Includes map of Europe 1917 and discussion questions for book clubs

Amid the violent last days of the glittering Russian monarchy, a princess on the run finds her heart where she least expects it. 1917, Petrograd. Fleeing the murderous flames of the Russian Revolution, Princess Svetlana Dalsky hopes to find safety in Paris with her mother and sister. But the city is buckling under the weight of the Great War, and the Bolsheviks will not rest until they have erased every Russian aristocrat from memory. Svetlana and her family are forced into hiding in Paris’s underbelly, with little to their name but the jewels they sewed into their corsets before their terrifying escape. Born the second son of a Scottish duke, the only title Wynn MacCallan cares for is that of surgeon. Putting his talents with a scalpel to good use in the hospitals in Paris, Wynn pushes the boundaries of medical science to give his patients the best care possible. After treating Svetlana for a minor injury, he is pulled into a world of decaying imperial glitter. Intrigued by this mysterious, cold, and beautiful woman, Wynn follows Svetlana to an underground Russian club where drink, dance, and questionable dealings collide on bubbles of vodka. Out of money and options, Svetlana agrees to a marriage of convenience with the handsome and brilliant Wynn, who will protect her and pay off her family’s debts. It’s the right thing for a good man to do, but Wynn cannot help hoping the marriage will turn into one of true affection. When Wynn’s life takes an unexpected turn, so does Svetlana’s—and soon Paris becomes as dangerous as Petrograd. And as the Bolsheviks chase them to Scotland, Wynn and Svetlana begin to wonder if they will ever be able to outrun the love they are beginning to feel for one another. “The Ice Swan is a ray of light in the middle of a Europe that was sinking into darkness. Ciesielski’s talent for storytelling from the heart is a feast for the readers’ eyes.” —Mario Escobar, international bestselling author of Remember Me and Children of the Stars Adventurous World War I historical romance For fans of Kate Quinn, Beatriz Williams, and Aimie K. Runyan Full-length, stand-alone novel (approx. 120,000 words) Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Federal agent Nick Cooper draws on his supernatural ability to eliminate terrorists to hunt down a dangerous man who committed a horrific massacre on Wall Street that left hundreds dead and injured.

This sensational design book showcases America’s most gorgeous and inventive art jewelry! For over a decade, the elite invitation-only American Jewelry Design Council (AJDC) has sponsored an annual project: every member creates an original piece based on a given theme. With imagination and skill, jewelers have tackled such concepts as the Mona Lisa, Wheel, Key, Puzzle, Water, Flight, Peekaboo, Sphere, Pyramid, and Secret Treasure. Each of these topics now becomes a dramatically photographed chapter, complete with illuminating introductions by renowned jewelry writers Cindy Edelstein and Frank Stankus. In addition to background information on the AJDC, and the story of the annual design event, artists’ commentaries enhance specific images. A final members’ section includes a biography, headshot, and additional jewelry images for each talented individual.

Failure is an inevitable part of life and work. All leaders, no matter how capable, will face failure and setbacks in their careers. How a leader responds to those challenges, and more importantly, how he or she learns and grows from the experiences, will define his or her long term potential as a leader. In this book the author shares some of the failures he endured during his career and the most important learnings he derived from those experiences. The Brilliance in Failure is a unique look into the career of a successful executive and the many mistakes that he made on his leadership journey. Those mistakes and failures created huge opportunities for personal growth and turned out to be essential to his success over time. The authors central message is simply that failure is not something to be feared, but rather to be embraced as a learning opportunity that can shape your leadership style and expand your personal impact on an organization.

What if the traditional narrative about immigrant women--that those who come to the United States will succeed as long as they work hard, stay focused, and have supportive families--is a lie? Of the 73 million women in the US workforce, 11.5 million are foreign-born. The truth is--even in the midst of headlines and political debates about immigration reform and in the wake of MeToo and other female-centric movements--millions of immigrants, especially women, aren’t living their fullest potential. Based on her personal experience and the stories of trailblazing women from around the world and in diverse industries, author Chinwe Esimai shares five indispensable traits that make an ocean of difference between immigrants who live as mere shadows of their truest potential and those who find purpose and fulfillment--what Chinwe refers to as their immigrace: Saying yes to your immigrace, an immigrant woman’s expression of her highest purpose and potential Daring to play in the big leagues Transforming failure Embracing change and blending differences Finding joy and healing These five traits are the foundation of the Brilliance Blueprint, a step-by-step guide to help readers achieve to their own extraordinary results and build their own remarkable legacies.

Happily-ever-after is never quite what you expect in this hot and gritty romance.