Showing results by author "S. M.M" in All Categories

In Polygamy: A Very Short Introduction, Sarah M.S. Pearsall explores what plural marriages reveal about the inner workings of marriage and describes the controversies surrounding it. The book emphasizes the diversity of historical polygamist societies, from the Shi'ite Muslims and Wendat men who practiced short-term marriages to the Mixteca, Maori, Inca, Algonquin, and Marta indigenous people of North America and the Pacific Islands. Pearsall also explains the divides within Christianity that led to Joseph Smith's establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

They rule boardrooms, kingdoms, and secret empires. They build worlds—and break them—when desire demands tribute. In this explosive collection of five dark billionaire romances, five women are drawn into the orbit of men who share everything except restraint. From the smoked-glass corridors of power to the locked rooms where safety becomes seduction, every touch is a test, every command a promise. A woman who inherits a mansion haunted by three ancient protectors. An assistant who discovers her new board of directors prefers obedience in and out of the office.

Since its creation, social media has dominated the headlines, and more apps are popping up every day. MySpace and Friendster paved the way for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok…and there’s always a new evolution just around the corner. That’s the beauty of social media. The most successful businesses are utilizing trends to attract new customers, speak to their loyal ones, and maximize their potential. And if you’re going to live up to the competition, your business needs to join them. You need a medium for interacting with customers…and social media is the answer.

I had to leave. I had no choice. I loved her too much to stay. Carys has always owned my heart, and loving her was the best part of my life...until I discovered the truth, realizing that the only way to keep her safe was to let her go. I thought it would become easier - that my love for her would eventually fade. But I was wrong. The longer I stayed away, the more it hurt to be apart from her.

The Domination of the Draka begins as a British possession in Africa, but soon becomes far more. Absorbing refugees after the American Revolution, and later the Civil War, the Draka become a people bred to rule with an iron fist. They permanently enslave the peoples of Africa, when they do not simply kill them. But this does not slake the Draka thirst for power. Sweeping across the world, the Draka empire engulfs nation after nation, shackling into servitude all who are not Draka. 

Have you ever wondered how Medusa got her snakes? Would the conniving Eros dare to use his magical arrows to play tricks? Are all monsters truly evil? Discover the triumphs, rivalries, and friendships that shaped the legendary characters we know and love. Get to know Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, Athena, Poseidon, Demeter, Persephone, Hades, Pan, Narcissus, Asterion the Minotaur, and more. This chapter book brings timeless tales to life while making Greek mythology fun, educational, and relatable for kids ages 8-12!

Investigating London's most infamous rogue for a seedy newspaper is hardly Lorelei Fontenot's dream job. But if that's what it takes to break into publishing, so be it. She'll uncover the sexy nobleman's deepest, darkest secrets. It's just her misfortune that she'll have to peek into his bedroom windows—at his brothel, no less—to do it.

Honoria Keyes isn't the gawky, impressionable fifteen year old girl she was when she first met Simon Fairchild. Twelve years have passed, and she's a successful artist, enjoying her independence to the fullest. Simon has changed, too. Gone is the beautiful, gentle boy of Honoria's dreams. In his place is a dangerous, damaged man intent on avoiding human contact—and emotions. It would be unthinkable to fall for this difficult, wounded recluse. But then again, Honoria has never been one to do things the easy way . . .

The second book of the Flame and Sparrow duology.

From terraformed outposts to magical realms, journey to worlds where deadly plants, rampant biodiversity, or failed colonies have created irresistible opportunities for those brave enough to seize them. New worlds, found family, mystical secrets, and deadly science weave together in this lesbian-centric anthology focusing on a very different kind of first time - a first encounter with a world, or being, entirely unlike our own.

Nothing is at all what it seems, and for four strangers, they'll have to discover why before they're driven over the edge of madness. Within them are the keys to free themselves. They'll need to traverse a landscape of horrors and fettered secrets. Unknown to these prisoners, another four desperately hunt for their own freedom - a freedom denied them by the tormenting existence of a monster. They will have to rely on all of their talents and each other to defeat the beast.

Do you serve on your church's stewardship committee or need to raise money for a mission trip or some other faith-based cause? Perhaps the thought of asking people for money intimidates you. It's time to change the way you think about fundraising. "Fundraising is, first and foremost, a ministry," best-selling author and renowned spiritual teacher Henri Nouwen writes. "It's a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission."

Most of us at some point in our lives will be struck by major traumas such as the sudden death of a loved one, a debilitating disease, assault, or a natural disaster. Resilience refers to the ability to "bounce back" after encountering difficulty. This book provides a guide to building emotional, mental, and physical resilience by presenting ten factors to help anyone become more resilient to life's challenges. Specific resilience factors such as facing fear, optimism, and social support are described through the experiences and personal reflections of highly resilient survivors. 

There is evil in the woods and it wants you dead. They warned us not to enter, but we didn't listen. The call too strong to ignore. And now there is no one left to save us. Beware, these things within the forest will rip out your heart and devour your soul. You will tremble as they revel in your madness, taking everything from you and leaving you with nothing. Delve inside this anthology of what truly lurks within the shadows of the trees.

She thought she was just a tattoo artist—until her ink started rewriting the supernatural world. Some marks fade. Hers bind. Hidden in a back-alley studio, she discovers that the runes she tattoos don’t decorate skin—they change destinies. Curses break. Magic floods where it once starved. Even monsters bound by ancient laws start looking at the sun… and at her… like miracles. Word spreads. Dangerous ones come first. A beast who lives on the edge of control. A magic-starved mind sharp enough to cut. A creature of night craving the impossible. They don’t hunt her. They guard her.

In this addition to the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, two well-respected New Testament scholars interpret the Gospel of John in its historical and literary setting as well as in light of the Church's doctrinal, liturgical, and spiritual tradition. They unpack the wisdom of the Fourth Gospel for the intellectual and spiritual transformation of its followers and connect the Gospel with a range of witnesses throughout the whole history of Catholicism.

Balthazar and his siblings are living the good life in the utopian community of Canoga, New York, where they have a degree of sexual and intellectual freedom few men—and even fewer women—have ever known. But sadly, all good things must come to an end. When their father dies, the Hale siblings discover two disheartening truths. First, they have an older brother none of them knew existed. Second, this stranger is not only the heir to an English dukedom, he's also their new legal guardian.

Brought to you by Penguin. Get ready to discover your next reading obsession with the first book in the irresistible new enemies-to-lovers romantasy series from the author of The Song of the Marked, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo. Love blooms in the darkness... Princess...

A year and a half has passed since the defeat of Charlottesville. The idea of an actual future is starting to take root among the survivors. Jason and Rachel have found a semblance of peace with a family. Pro has found a calling and Pavel has found a place to call home. A dangerous enemy, flying the Stars and Stripes from across the Appalachians has turned their attention to Potomac and everything the survivors have built.

This audiobook is narrated by an AI Voice. This is the official OpenStax Principles of Management audiobook, produced by Audileo, a valued OpenStax Technology Partner. Principles of Management is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of the introductory course on management. This...