What if the school bully stole your lunch everyday? How would you feel and what would you do about it? How far would you go to get rid of him for good? Zach and Sam face this dilemma everyday. Zach reads his sisters diary and discovers her secret, the reason why her life seems so perfect. A magical tree stump that grants wishes can fix all their problems. But be careful what you wish for.“These days, we do not lack information about other societies and countries” writes Eva Hoffman, in her introduction to this illuminating collection of essays. But why, we must ask, does this unprececedented level of knowledge not translate into greater understanding?Spurning the sound byte, glossy guide or shallow schematic, an international group of thinkers and writers set out on a much more vital journey leading us through the Innner Lives of Cultures. In these 10 revealing essays about Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Romania, Russia and Uzbekistan, we enter, through empathy and imagination ‘into the subjective life of another culture – its symbolic codes, its overt beliefs and implicit assumptions’. Often, they suggest, it is the experience of emmigration or displacment which is the key: it reveals most sharply to us not only how culture shapes our human enviroment but also the inner landscapes of the self which perceives it. In an opening essay, ‘Barbarism, Civilisation, Cultures’, Tzvetan Todorov, argues forcefully that without this much-prized knowledge of what ‘culture’ is, we may increasingly fail to become what he calls “a civilised person: one who is able, at all times and in all places, to recognise the humanity of others fully”. This is an urgent and indispensible book for our world now.

Mike and Jimmy are two dumb thieves who have broken into an old lady's house. They move from room to room, but there is more to this house than either of them realize. A creepy house, a feral cat and a ritual room but where is the old woman? What is behind the final door? Do you dare look?Her blood paints her a target, whereas his marks him the enemy, but together they could be the key to changing it all…Aria Weislen fought hard to stay in her rainforest home deep in the heart of South America, but she was forced to go back to the states to join the rest of her family. Grayford, Massachusetts is almost the polar opposite of her sweet jungle escape, but it does have one thing her old home never offered… Tallis Verdan. The sight of him leaves her unbalanced and almost incoherent.Stolen glances and accidental grazes leave her with a fever almost every time. But his mixed signals get her high one second before leaving her to plummet the very next. In a world full of secrets, looks can be deceiving. Even her own reflection has been hiding the truth of what’s to come.It doesn’t take long to realize why Tallis sends her on such highs and lows. His blood, his ties, and his secrets rival hers. And when the reality Aria has known shatters to make way for the fantasy she never believed, it all spirals out of control.It’s her they want, but he’ll stand in the way…

Clay Fenwick is a young man living in a world filled with magic. His mother and father are witches—even his bratty little sister Rose is a witch. The problem is Clay is normal. He’s an ordinary human in a magical world. He has no power whatsoever. How far would you go to fit in and be like everyone else? How much blood would you be willing to spill to get your wish?Battle Born Prequel: Skyla's prophetic dreams aren't enough to keep her from being captured by a fierce Rodyte general, but they help her understand what he wants and why he needs her so desperately. She's now his helpless captive and must decide if she's brave enough to teach this embittered soldier how to love again.Tragedy, and years of war, have hardened Kryton Lux, made him ruthless and unfeeling. He's fascinated with his new captive, ready and willing to seduce her curvaceous body. His heart, however, isn't part of the bargain. She will submit to his sexual demands and when their time together has concluded, she will return to her homeworld and he will never think of her again. Luckily for Skyla, fate has a far different plan for this stubborn general.Note to Readers: This book contains detailed descriptions of sizzling passion only suitable for mature readers.From Cyndi: I've had many requests for more information about the war brides, so I decided to let one tell her story. Skyla is the mother of three upcoming heroes in the Battle Born series. This is a stand-alone story, but I hope you'll check out my other books as well. All my books blend elements of science-fiction, fantasy, and paranormal romance. The Battle Born books lean more toward sci-fi, but there is still plenty of steamy romance. Enjoy!