Showing results by narrator "Naomi" in All Categories

Forced Out: A Nikkei Woman’s Search for a Home in America offers insight into “voluntary evacuation,” a little-known Japanese American experience during World War II, and the lasting effects of cultural trauma. Of the roughly 120,000 people forced from their homes by Executive Order 9066, around 5,000 were able to escape incarceration beforehand by fleeing inland.

One year after Stella’s boyfriend broke up with her—some might say he dumped her unceremoniously—she’s determined to shake off the painful memories and to move on. And her BFF’s surprise invitation to a weeklong trip to France might be the perfect way to do that. Little does Stella know that fate has other plans....

Twisty scares with heart. Ghosts, sea monsters, and a rest home for troublesome witches all feature in this collection of paranormal stories set in Wellington, New Zealand. By turns spooky and laugh-out-loud funny, these tales stew with malevolence and mischief. Climb aboard the ghost bus for a wild ride of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and humor, and hop off a little more in love with Aotearoa's capital city.

Lily Marchand, 65, used to play with the big boys in Vegas. Beneath her tough old broad exterior is a tough old broad. Her heart, if she had one, would be gold. But after marrying three times for all the wrong reasons, she doesn't need a heart anymore. Until her dream of a quiet retirement is dashed when she has to blow away husband number one. Now on the run, with the deck stacked against her, Lily has to shuffle hard to save not only her own life, but Roy's, too.

Big Red is more than a pet…so much more. The large ginger ball of fluff is not the only one taken, which is a catastrophe for the owners who, like Maddie, consider them family. Of course, the body found behind her bakery takes precedence, with the police and the town is scared, but why is no one else searching for the pets? Sheriff Tanner, who happens to be her ex-boyfriend, is doing what he can to solve both crimes. Still, Maddie can’t sit by and wait. Going against her darling Gran’s wishes, she once again does her own detective work - with a little help from her friends.

Sylvie is a friendly snail who loves to explore. More than anything else in the world, she wants to go on a big adventure. When Sylvie discovers that her neighbors Ben and Kate are going on holiday, she wants to go too! So, she hides inside Ben's favorite toy truck, so she can go with them. But, the world's a big place. Things go horribly wrong.

The long-anticipated epic cruise adventure is finally here! Two worlds collide when Gloria and the Garden Girls meet up with Gloria's cousin, Assistant Cruise Director Millie Sanders, and her crew aboard the passenger cruise ship Siren of the Seas. Almost immediately, suspicions are raised when a group of mysterious passengers board and then head straight to the bridge for a private meeting with the captain. Not long after, Andy Walker, Millie's boss, tells her the ship will have some "temporary" staff boarding for this cruise, something that has never happened before.

Our new life in Scotland isn’t perfect, but somehow, being surrounded by the bewitching Highlands has kept the memory of our parents alive. But amongst the looming mountains, lush greenery, and murky lochs, there are hidden mysteries. Mysteries that may hold the key to both our past — and our future. And I’m more determined than ever to get to the bottom of the feud between the Duncan and Blackwood clans. But although things may seem oddly quiet, nothing stays that way when magic is involved.

Sixteen-year-old Ayanda Draculesti doesn't remember her early life - all she knows is that she was found as a small child, wandering the streets of Venice with an intricate medallion and a mangled left arm. But Ayanda is unique - even though she's alive, she has the powers of a vampire. Ayanda isn't the only young Unnatural in Venice. Their paths and Ayanda's collide when a brutal enemy surfaces that threatens them all: one of the Greater Dead, a vampire that slithers through Venice murdering everyone she encounters.

Sadie Alden has been having a tough week. A huge question mark hangs over her relationship with Miller, and things only seem to be getting worse. As Hallow Haven prepares for the May Day celebrations, Effie and Kate are trying their best to keep Sadie busy. They can only distract her for so long. Sadie quickly learns that the first day of May is significant in the witch calendar, and for some residents, it is important for all the wrong reasons.

Too many men, not enough time. Jody isn’t used to juggling men and has no interest in it. When a coven of warlocks turn up in Harrow Bay, she doesn’t like their leader’s interest in her any more than she likes having them in her town. The mayor is persistent with his attempts to get better acquainted, and she’s clinging to her determination to make Drake believe there’s nothing between them. Willa is struggling to come to terms with her unexpected attraction, and Isabel has more of a love life than she wants when Artie pops the question.

Em Rogers life changes forever when she gets her first after-school detention. If she'd known Dad would die in a traumatic accident, and Mum would have a nervous breakdown, she never would have talked in class. Was it all her fault? After losing friends, confidence, and hope, Em moves north to live with Nan and finds a future filled with promise, with the help of new friends, a mermaid, and a magic rock.

Kathryn Westcott, masquerading as a tutor, accepts a position at the Clayton ancestral home of Mowbray Manor with one objective - to uncover the dubious circumstances surrounding the death of her friend Lady Aramintha Clayton. Suspecting the family knows more than they are prepared to say, Kathryn forms an alliance with both Clayton sons, and a tenuous friendship with their aloof half-brother Benedict. No one is who they pretend to be in this house full of secrets. Someone will do everything within their power to stop Kathryn from revealing the truth. Even if it means murder.

With a fresh wave of passengers soon to board the Siren of the Seas, Assistant Cruise Director Millie Sanders is shocked when she discovers she has a new roommate and fit to be tied when she learns the new roommate is none other than Danielle Kneldon, her former charge and nemesis! Danielle’s first assignment is to ensure the ship's special "VIPs", a family that has won a cruise contest, have a wonderful, fun-filled vacation. Millie discovers her coworker has other plans, which includes searching the small island of Kiriban for a missing family and collecting a hefty reward.

This far into 30, I never expected to still be single and living with my parents, and yet, that's precisely where I’ve found myself. But after their sudden death, my two sisters and I receive one last message from beyond the grave - and our lives change faster than our favorite tea can brew.

Sara Baron’s dream job as a professional symphony musician is threatened by a medical affliction. She returns to her hometown in upstate New York to receive physical therapy and hopefully recover enough to resume her career. While playing duets for the opening of the town’s new community center, lights go out and a gunshot echoes through the reception area. The building contractor, a man with no shortage of enemies, is dead. Her duet partner and childhood friend begs her to help find the killer when her father, Sara’s old chemistry teacher, is at the top of the suspect list.

Foul magic stirs in the depths of the sea where sirens are ruled by the whims of powerful water nymphs. But when fever sweeps the watery kingdoms, threatening to destroy the race of sirens forever, a new hero must rise. Darya, a water nymph, is chosen to find a magical remedy to save her people. But the spell for the cure lies ashore in the Great Library of Nomadia.

Sadie Alden would love nothing more than to spend the weekend soaking up the sunshine with her boyfriend, but it seems that’s not on the cards. With a golf tournament taking over the islands, Sadie is required to supervise the event despite having little interest in the sport. Will she make a faux pas on the fairway? Absolutely.

An HR specialist and trauma counselor, Stacie is on the board of a fledgling non-profit foundation set up to benefit victims of domestic violence. After a slashed tire, attempted break in, and a murder, Stacie isn’t buying coincidental bad karma. Someone wants her off the board - at any cost. Her fancy surveillance equipment, impressive alarm system, and a ferocious Maltese dog offer only so much protection. That may not be enough when politics are involved. Enter Kevin McNair, a smooth talker with piercing blue eyes. Can she trust him with her heart or her life?

An old king with nothing left to lose is lured to the site of his greatest victory by a long-forgotten enemy seeking revenge. The last dragon-slayer and the last dragon, brought together with just one anticipated outcome, but what if they have more to ask of each other? A brave knight cursed to know love as no other, but to never have that love returned in kind. The wild west as you've never seen it before. Two ancient warriors body-stealing through time. These are just some of the stories in this collection from award-winning author Brian A. Hopkins.