Showing results by narrator "Samara Naeymi" in All Categories

From the keenly observant author of The Fairer Sex comes a collection of sexy, razor-sharp short stories that swing a wrecking ball at our assumptions about women - what they desire, what they’re working toward, and what they’re willing to wait for. In these witty, bracing, and poignant stories, Michelle Miller follows six women on the often-surprising path to satisfaction.

A small-town waitress, awestruck by dreams of a bigger world, looks forward to the biggest break of a budding career in this darkly comic short tale of what happens when innocence collides with cynicism. Eighteen-year-old Keridee is done with high school, her cheating boyfriend, her jealous friends, and Nowhere, Florida. She’s determined to do something with her life, and her small-time modeling agent has already scored her a gig. She’s working an event for a real estate mogul who happens to own a huge modeling agency. What if he’s dazzled by her smile and makes her a star?

Lauren is angry enough that her mother couldn’t find time to show up to the opening of her new art gallery. But when she gets home and discovers the gift her mother has sent instead, Lauren comes undone in the face of a temptation that will push her to the edge, closer to her demons and the bitter taste of a mother’s love.

A young novelist trapped in a bad relationship takes the first step toward true pleasure and tenderness…but does she have the courage to be swept off her feet? It doesn’t matter how many people read and like her new book, there’s only one man’s opinion that matters to Clara…or at least that’s what she thinks. But when a chance encounter at a film premiere introduces her to someone new - someone who understands her in a way the first man can’t - Clara finally discovers the validation she really wants and needs.

I didn’t even want to go to the party. Seriously, I’d rather have stayed home with my librarian-witch grandmother and her mystical book club than go. But my best friend, Skyler, begged me. So I went. And it was the worst party of my life. The last party of my life. Not only was the band downright horrible, but the lead singer bit me afterward. And then stole Skyler. Now I’m chasing down a band of angry vamps with my other best friend, Vaughn, in tow - and a buttload of feelings between us we can’t even begin to address. And worse, I’m changing into something else.

In this exceptional book, inclusion leader Annahid Dashtgard shares her experiences looking for and teaching about belonging in our divided world. Through moving and deft interlocking stories, Dashtgard examines what it means to belong—to a country, in a marriage, and in our skin—and the price we pay when that belonging is absent.

Spark may be a cute and cuddly teddy bear, but she’s also a fierce protector. After rescuing her human owner - a budding young filmmaker named Loretta - from a hideous monster, everything seems to be returning to normal in their quiet household. But then Spark is summoned before the mysterious Grand Sleuth, the high council of teddy bears, who task her with a dangerous mission: locating the portal to the monster’s domain. During her daring search, Spark discovers a terrible secret.

1960s New York, and Emma Bowden seems to have it all - a glamorous Manhattan apartment, a loving husband, and a successful writing career. But while Emma and her husband, Jonathan, are on vacation at the Hamptons, a child drowns in the sea, and suspicion falls on Emma. As her picture-perfect life spirals out of control and old wounds resurface, a persistent and monotonous voice in Emma’s head threatens to destroy all that she has worked for....

A frustrated lawyer finds release where she least expects it - and where she needs it most - in this exhilarating, sexy romp through the finest gluten-free indulgences in a New York City grocery store. After another long workday, the only thing Meredith wants is a big bowl of paleo maple-pecan coconola. But the hour-long checkout line at 7:00 p.m. at an all-organic supermarket stands between her and satisfaction, and the yupster mob is working her last nerve. Then, out of nowhere, a spontaneous flirtation with a stranger shows her there’s a lot more than coconola waiting for her.

Kalyna's family has the Gift: the ability to see the future. For generations, they traveled the four kingdoms of the Tetrarchia selling their services as soothsayers. Every child of their family is born with this Gift—everyone except Kalyna. So far, Kalyna has used informants and trickery to falsify prophecies for coin, scrounging together a living for her deteriorating father and cruel grandmother. But Kalyna's reputation for prophecy precedes her, and poverty turns to danger when she is pressed into service by the spymaster to Rotfelsen.

Asha’s husband, Charlie, isn’t dead, but he’s been gone just the same since the day his aneurysm trapped him in a coma. Everything that made him Charlie left this world a year ago for a limbo that has trapped Asha, too. She doesn’t want to stay in this situation, but she can’t bear to kiss the love of her life goodbye. Luckily, she’s not alone. Asha has the support of her best friend, her father, and then, unexpectedly, Jason.

You will not believe what you are reading - even though it all feels so real. Only a man like Smilin’ Jack could monetize civil war. After the infamous business tycoon launches a hit TV show that pits American and Confederate gladiators in brutal battles, his grisly spectacle draws the attention of psychopaths across the nation.

Radiant Basket of Rainbow Shells, scholar of curses and magical history, has spent several years on a research expedition abroad in Quruscan, one of the four kingdoms of the Tetrarchia. When Radiant’s home country of Loasht suddenly revokes his citizenship—and that of his entire ethnic enclave—he soon finds that Quruscan is no longer a safe haven either. He needs someone to help him escape: someone with the sheer cunning to escort him to safety. The perfect candidate is Kalyna Aljosanova: a crafty, mysterious mercenary with an uncanny reputation.

It's time to go, but no one can find Hannah! That’s because she’s in the park with too much to do. She needs to collect caterpillars and sticks, make a bow and arrow, and build a bed out of leaves. Deep in the shrubs, she sets up a secret hideout where she can hunker down over the campfire, lost in her own little world. But for how long? When a voice cuts through the branches, Hannah realizes someone is still looking for her. Can she find her way out of the shrubs, or will she stay wild forever?

After their first deployment, Shaya and her Lance made a splash at the Arcadian Academy of War and Magic by overcoming incredible odds that no first-year student should have had to face alone. At the same time, with some clever maneuvering, Shaya removed her rival at the Academy from the equation... at least for now. With that nuisance out of the picture, she can focus on what matters most: growing stronger. With the help of her friends and mentors, Shaya will learn how to best harness the demonic blood in her veins and embrace the full plethora of powers at her disposal.

As the daughter of a renowned War Hero, Shaya was destined for a life of heroism and glory. A life she desired more than anything else—until her mother sacrificed herself for the cause and the very Empire she died for stole Shaya’s dreams from her.

Cunning and resourceful, Shaya worked hard to keep her and her brother safe, clawing themselves out of a system set against them and gaining the power they needed to find their way in life again.

In The Energy of Success, award-winning energy expert Rebecca Ahmed reveals precisely how to shift your physical, emotional, and mental potential through proven, easy-to-use strategies you can start using today. When you learn to shift your own and your team's energy (even if you are not in charge!), you will immediately increase their joy and enthusiasm, transform your workplace, and infuse positivity into your workplace . . . for everyone.