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A History of Ship Launches and Their Ceremonies
by George Hodgkinson"This is an interesting and informative book about a shipbuilding process that might be considered routine. Far from it. This fine book is full of centuries of launching methods, ceremonies, superstitions and mishaps." — PowerShips Throughout history, man has been performing rituals at the launch of a new ship to seek supernatural or divine protection for his ship and those who will sail in her. The form of the ritual varies according to local custom and religion: from the breaking of a coconut, to the release of doves, to the role of astrologers in choosing an auspicious day for the launch. But the sentiment that lies behind all launching ceremonies is fear. At the moment of launching a new ship a seafarer is alert to any sign that his ship is not sound. He is superstitious and seeks reassurance that his ship and those who will sail in her will be protected. The rites of blood sacrifice and libations performed by the ancient Babylonians and Greeks are well evidenced. The evolution of this practice into today’s tradition of breaking a bottle of wine against the bow of a ship before launch, still symbolising sacrifice, is explored as well as the now widely practised custom of inviting ladies to name and launch new ships.
The Best Thing About My Ass Is That It's Behind Me
by Lisa Ann WalterActress and comic Lisa Ann Walter offers a hilarious, star-studded collection of essays encouraging women to laugh at what they can't change, enjoy a guilty pleasure or two, and finally accept the lives and the bodies they're in now. The star of shows like Abbott Elementary and movies like The Parent Trap, Shall We Dance, and Bruce Almighty delivers a warm, wry, honest, and effective exhortation to find happiness where you are, in a serenity prayer for today’s woman that’s perfect for fans of Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project, Valerie Bertinelli’s Losing It and Chelsea Handler’s My Horizontal Life.
Colossians/Philemon: Small Group Study (Encounters with God)
by Henry Blackaby Richard Blackaby Melvin Blackaby Thomas BlackabyIntended as companions to the Blackaby Study Bible, these guides also stand alone as a complete study of a book of the Bible.The lessons include: Leader's Notes7 studies based on reference materials included in the Blackaby Study BibleAn explanation and interpretation of Scripture A story that illustrates the passage in focus Other Bible verses related to the theme Questions for reflection Suggestions for application in everyday life.
The Reluctant Groom
by Emma RichmondMission: marriage!Abby Hunter wasn't very experienced at the flirting game. She was probably the only twenty-eight-year-old virgin in the history of the planet! But she didn't want to be. Especially after she'd met sexy tycoon Sam Turner.He was a walking temptation-and he'd made her an offer she knew she should refuse. Sam Turner didn't believe in love or marriage; all he'd offered Abby was a temporary affair-no strings attached! Could she ever persuade this reluctant groom to take a chance on love?
Hart's Baby
by Christy LockhartA FAMILY TO CALL HIS OWNWhen Cassie Morrison arrived on Zach Hart's doorstep, claiming her swaddled bundle was a Hart, he knew she was another gold digger out to lasso the Wind Song Ranch fortune-and destroy his family. Yet somehow this sultry spitfire's fierce protectiveness stirred his emotions—and his passions....Fighting her undeniable and searing attraction to the virile cowboy was the most difficult act of Cassie's life-but she'd do anything to ensure that baby Billy received the love he deserved. She longed to yield to tantalizing temptation and throw caution to the Wyoming wind, but too much was at stake. Namely, her heart...
Fugitive Father
by Jean BarrettA DESPERATE FATHER...Only one thing mattered to Noah Rhyder. His son. Falsely accused, wrongly convicted, he'd held his little boy in his heart, his only wish to see Joel's face again. Now, freed by an instant's luck, he's on the run with nothing to lose, determined to reach his child.IN THE RACE OF HIS LIFEAs Joel's foster mother, Ellie Mathieson has sheltered him and kept him safe during the trial. Now she's the one person who can lead his father to him. Kidnapped, she's imprisoned more by Noah's honest eyes than by his strong arms. She'll risk it all, including her heart, to help this sensuous stranger. But will that be enough?
Riflemen of Wellington’s Light Division in the Peninsular War: Unpublished or Rare Accounts from the 95th Rifles 1808-14
by Robert Burnham Gareth GloverNo other regiment in Wellington’s Peninsular army can compare with the 95th Rifles. Even before Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe novels and television series, the Rifles were the most famous of all the British Army’s fighting formations. Unlike the red-coated regiments of the Line, the Riflemen were trained to act with a degree of independence, selecting their own targets in battle. As a result, a number of the officers and some of the men were more literate than their counterparts in the Line, or at least were more willing to record their experiences fighting the French. Consequently, many of the finest memoirs of the era have come from the pens of the likes of Harry Smith, Johnny Kincaid and Riflemen Harris and Costello, and have found their places on the shelves of every enthusiast of the era. However, these well-known works were written years after the fighting when memories had faded and were bulked out with incidents borrowed from others and heavily edited with grand descriptions of ‘derring-do’ for their Victorian audience, and heavily constrained by the strict morals of the day. Through many years of research, Gareth Glover has uncovered other memories written by members of the 95th which have never been published before or have not been brought to the attention of the present-day public, that were written at the time. These honestly state what really happened on the battlefields of Spain and Portugal – the suffering, the awkward incidents, the rumors and camp gossip – presenting a very different picture of life in Wellington’s army than the sanitized versions we have been presented with until now. Also included are rare or unpublished memoirs written by members of the staff of the Light Division, enabling the reader to understand the division’s command structure and organization to provide a rounded and realistic vision of this famous fighting force.
Mystical Dragon Magick: Teachings of the Five Inner Rings
by D. J. ConwayTake your dragon magick to the highest level. From Apprentice to Enchanter, Shaman to Warrior, and finally culminating as Mystic, the five levels of initiation to high dragon magick are decoded in this companion to celebrated author D.J. Conway's bestselling Dancing with Dragons. On your journey through each of the Inner Rings, you will be guided along a higher path of spiritual consciousness while your spellwork is strengthened and enhanced.Discover how to attract dragons, draw on their legendary energy and wisdom, and partner with them as co-magicians. Incorporate herbal spells, choose appropriate ritual tools and codes, and find magickal color associations You will also learn many practical methods for working dragon magick—using amulets and talismans, planetary powers, divination, crystals, healing, astral projection, scrying, and more.Praise:"A unique, one-of-a-kind tome and a welcome addition to the growing body of metaphysical lore."—Midwest Book Review"A personal devotion and an academic work of the highest order."—The Dragon Chronicle (UK)"Dragon-lovers everywhere will like this book."—Prediction
The Ranger's Bride
by Laurie GrantRede Smith didn’t think so, yet the Texas Ranger hadn’t counted on the brave and beautiful Addy Kelly, whose tender mercies and intoxicating touch gave him hope for a life free of the dark secret that plagued him.Respectable widow Adelaide Kelly had a secret: she was neither a widow nor respectable in small-town eyes. But the scandal her divorced status would create paled beside the shocking fact that she’d allowed the rugged Rede Smith into her home, heart and deepest desires.
My Lover's Secret
by Jean BarrettHIS-AND-HERS SECRETSGillian Randolph and Cleveland McBride had one steamy and reckless summer together-and then suddenly Gillian left without explanation, leaving Cleve with only memories. Now she was back, pleading for help-and looking more tempting than ever.The police couldn't help her-only Cleve's arms could keep Gillian safe from a murderer's vengeance. But her lover had changed. He was harder, more cynical, sexier. The secrets she'd kept from him weighed on her soul, but how could she tell him the truth after all this time? And what secrets lay behind his own shadowed eyes?And would the truth come too late to save them both from a killer?
To Walk a Pagan Path: Practical Spirituality for Every Day
by Alaric AlbertssonInspiration and Ideas for a Holistic Pagan LifestyleLive fully as a Pagan every day of the year, not only on full moons and holidays. With practical tips for integrating earth-centered spirituality into every aspect of life, To Walk a Pagan Path shows you how to:Cultivate a meaningful Pagan practice by following seven simple steps.Develop a sacred calendar customized for your beliefs, lifestyle, and environment.Make daily activities sacred with quick and easy rituals.Reclaim your place in the food cycle by producing a portion of your own food—even if you live in an apartment!Express Pagan spirituality through a variety of craft projects: candles, scrying mirrors, solar wreaths, recipes, and more.Create sacred relationships with animal familiars.
There Comes a Season
by Carol StewardA SEASON FOR LOVE?When he discovered his infant son, Bryan Beaumont was consumed with self-doubt. What did a high-flying executive know about parenting?But compassionate day-care working Laura Bates simply wouldn't allow a disillusioned Bryan to lose faith in himself-or his baby.While Laura knew the good Lord wanted her to help unite father and son, she felt far too vulnerable to open her heart to this dynamic and demanding man. Still, Bryan's tender smile stirred emotions she thought were gone forever. Would the coming season restore her hope for a joyous future?Welcome to Love Inspired™-stories that will lift your spirits and gladden your heart. Meet men and women facing the challenges of today's world and learning important lessons about life, faith and love.
The Vietri Project: A Novel
by Nicola DeRobertis-TheyeA Lithub, Good Reads, Bustle, and The Millions Most Anticipated Book of 2021"The Vietri Project is a riveting, shifting quest, an evocative trip to Rome, and a beautiful portrayal of the ways you need to return to the past in order to move forward. A great delight from start to finish.”--Lily King, New York Times bestselling author of Writers and LoversA search for a mysterious customer in Rome leads a young bookseller to confront the complicated history of her family, and that of Italy itself, in this achingly intimate debut with echoes of Lily King and Elif Batuman.Working at a bookstore in Berkeley in the years after college, Gabriele becomes intrigued by the orders of signor Vietri, a customer from Rome whose numerous purchases grow increasingly mystical and esoteric. Restless and uncertain of her future, Gabriele quits her job and, landing in Rome, decides to look up Vietri. Unable to locate him, she begins a quest to unearth the well-concealed facts of his life.Following a trail of obituaries and military records, a memoir of life in a village forgotten by modernity, and the court records of a communist murder trial, Gabriele meets an eclectic assortment of the city’s inhabitants, from the widow of an Italian prisoner of war to members of a generation set adrift by the financial crisis. Each encounter draws her unexpectedly closer to her own painful past and complicated family history—an Italian mother diagnosed with schizophrenia and institutionalized during her childhood, and an extended family in Rome still recovering from the losses and betrayals in their past. Through these voices and histories, Gabriele will discover what it means to be a person in the world; a member of a family and a citizen of a country—and how reconciling these stories may be the key to understanding her own.
Crows and Ravens: Mystery, Myth, and Magic of Sacred Corvids
by Rick de YampertExploring history, folklore, mythology, and science, this book gives you a unique look at two of the most popular magical creatures of all time. The crow and his cousin, the raven, are featured players in many cultures throughout the world, including Norse, Celtic, Jewish, and Indigenous traditions. This guide teaches you how to welcome these highly intelligent birds into your own spiritual practice, whether you follow Wicca, Heathenry, Druidry, or any other path.Crows and Ravens presents rituals, meditations, and exercises that help you discover the magic and mystery of corvids. Learn about crow and raven divination, create your own crow-raven talisman, uncover the shadowy side of corvids, and more. Found in nearly all urban and wild environments, these birds present you with magical opportunities and life lessons wherever you go.
Good Juju: Mojos, Rites & Practices for the Magical Soul
by Najah LightfootSpiritual Rites, Spell Work, and Folk Practices to Enhance Your Well-Being and Personal PowerLearn to better express your spirituality and build up your magical practice with this book's powerful spells, rituals, and tools. Designed to help you navigate whatever ups and downs life throws your way, Good Juju is your perfect choice for learning to embrace nature, the old ways, and the magick all around you.Using simple practices that don't interfere with any religions, Good Juju helps you lay a foundation for daily ritual work. You'll also learn how to craft mojos, create and work with altars, tune in to your intuition, and much more. Author Najah Lightfoot guides you in keeping your mind, body, and spirit strong as you discover your magical work and align with your higher power.
Nobody's Princess (Man of the Month)
by Jennifer GreeneMR. AUGUSTPrince of a guy: Alex Brennan. Honest, loyal...a fairy-tale hero.Damsel in distress: Regan Stuart. Jaded, cynical...detests fairy tales.ONCE UPON A TIME...there was a free spirit named Regan who believed in Prince Charming and happily-ever-afters. Then she kissed one frog too many. So instead of searching for knights in shining armor, she armed herself with hard-edged realism to ward off would-be Romeos....Alex knew that love hurt, but he also knew Regan needed to be saved. And though he was nobody's hero, he wanted to prove to this stubborn beauty that she was his princess....MAN OF THE MONTH:This guy proves chivalry isn't dead!
A Christmas Seduction
by Amanda BrowningThe millionaire...Being forced to spend Christmas with his godfather's mistress was not Quinn Mannion's idea of fun. Laura Maclane might be beautiful, but Quinn had no doubt she was a heartless gold digger. Why else would his godfather have left money to an attractive younger woman?...and the mistressLaura had never wanted money-she'd just wanted to get to know her father. Unfortunately, now that he was dead, who would believe she was his daughter? Certainly not Quinn. Infuriated, Laura decided to play up to his expectations of her-and soon Quinn wanted her as his mistress....
You Are a Medium: Discover Your Natural Abilities to Communicate with the Other Side
by Sherrie DillardCommunicate with the Other Side Using Your Natural Psychic AbilitiesPsychic medium Sherrie Dillard has been helping people connect with their loved ones on the other side for over twenty years. In You Are a Medium, she shows you how to discover your own medium type through a specialized quiz. Once you better understand how your subtle abilities work, you can develop your skills with simple exercises and techniques based on your type.As you become more confident with your medium abilities, be prepared to make a breathtaking discovery: Not only do your deceased loved ones help you from the other side—you also help them! Sharing inspiring case studies from her work with clients, Sherrie shows that when you succeed in learning your soul lessons, you become a beacon of light to those in the beyond.Praise:"Everything that Sherrie Dillard writes has the ring of authenticity that comes with great beauty and spiritual depth."—Joanna Macy, PhD, co-author of Active Hope
Once More a Family
by Paula Detmer RiggsA FAMILY REUNITEDGrady Hardin didn't realize how important family was-until it was gone. Ripped apart by his son's kidnapping, Grady made it his mission not only to bring back Jimmy, but to return laughter to the eyes of his beautiful ex-wife, Ria. On that joyous day when Jimmy was found, Grady focused on the all important tasks of reuniting his family-and winning over the love of the only woman he'd ever wanted. Wooing her slowly into his arms, he never anticipated the intense passion and deep emotions that this incredible woman would reawaken within him. In rediscovering the woman Ria once was, Grady found that she uncovered the man he used to be. Together, could they become a family again...?
What's Your Big Three?: How Sun, Moon & Rising Signs Reveal Who You Really Are
by Andrea TaylorUncover Deep Truths About Yourself through Sun, Moon, and Rising SignsEmbark on a fascinating journey of self-discovery by exploring the three most important facets of your astrological blueprint. Your sun sign represents your will; it's who you are at your core. Your moon sign reveals your inner self, where vulnerability, emotions, and needs reside. Your rising sign, or ascendant, describes the outer layer you show to people when you first meet. This beginner-friendly book reveals the energies you were born with and how they influence your motivations, fears, and challenges. You'll also learn to identify how the big three affect your family, friends, and colleagues. With an enhanced awareness of yourself and those around you, you'll enjoy happier, more fulfilling relationships of every sort.
Black Velvet Valentines
by Carrie AlexanderBLAZERed-hot reads from Temptation!BLACK VELVET VALENTINESThree blazingly sexy stories to set the mood for the most romantic day of the yearSecrets of the HeartSensuous, arousing black velvet valentines sent by a stranger. At first Charlotte Colfax was shocked, then intrigued...then determined to find her secret admirer.Two HeartsValentine's Day. A full moon. A hot tub. And a love potion. Pansy Kingsmith had it all figured out...except the part where the wrong twin succumbs to her seduction.Heart's DesireAngie Dubonnet had no idea that her Valentine cruise would give her the chance to live out all her fantasies. Or that Nikolas Dorian would make it a voyage of sensual discovery.
The Man That Got Away
by Harper AllenSHE COULDN'T REMEMBERHer name, her past or how she'd been shot-it was all a blank to Dana Smith. For five years, she built a new life, became a new person-and dreamed of a man whose hands caressed her, whose kisses set her on fire....HE COULDN'T FORGETThe mystery lady had kissed him and disappeared into the night-but after the shots were fired, her body was nowhere to be found. P.I. Gabriel O'Shaunessy could tell the police nothing about her disappearance, only that he'd been hired to follow her. Five years later, the lady walked back into his life-with no identification, no answers and a plea for help he couldn't ignore....
The Life of a General in Napoleon's Light Cavalry: The Memoirs of Jean-Nicolas Curély
by Andrew W. FieldThis is the first English translation of the memoirs of Jean-Nicolas Curély. Born in 1774, son of a laborer, Curély rose through the ranks to become a General in Napoleon's Light Cavalry. Although Curély did not fight in many of the most famous battles of the First Republic and the Napoleonic Wars, this reflects the role of the light cavalry; scouting ahead of the army, conducting reconnaissance to the flanks and launching raids. He did, however, take part in all Napoleon’s great campaigns, including Austerlitz, Heilsberg, Essling, Raab, Wagram, Beresina, Wachau, Leipzig, Craonne and Laon, and served as an aide de camp to many of the French army’s most famous light cavalry generals. Curély’s memoirs give a unique and detailed glimpse into the day-to-day life of the light cavalry from someone who, although of lowly birth and with no education, became an exceptional General. He was a hussar at 19 years, second lieutenant at 32, squadron commander at 35, Colonel at 38 and General at 40. He became Cavalier of the Légion d’Honneur in 1806, and was wounded five times in his career. His account describes in great detail the many actions he was involved in and the many exceptional scrapes he escaped. However, his narrative does not only describe combat but also the lengths he went to for the welfare of his men and horses, particularly during the retreat from Moscow which he survived with a hundred men and nearly all his officers still battleworthy. Stretching from Curély's enrolment with the Hussars in 1793 to Waterloo, capitulation of Paris and the disbandment of the army, this book is a 'must have' for anyone with an interest in the Napoleonic Wars.
Your Dream and Mine
by Susan KirbyONE WOMAN'S WISHOnly one thing stood between Thomasina Rose and her lifelong dream: a six-foot-tall, handsome stranger. Trace Austin was a kindhearted soul, with a grin that could drive any woman to distraction. But both he and Thomasina were after the same land, and it seemed as if they would forever be at odds over one another's goals.ONE MAN'S ANSWERTrace had quickly seen more in Thomasina than just a business partner. With the caring and gentle nurse by his side, he could imagine a home, a family, a love like no other. But something in Thomasina's past kept her from committing her heart. And Trace prayed that he would find the key to unlock sweet Thomasina's fears...and show her that his dream of happily-ever-after was possible.
Hers for a Night
by Kate WalkerFor twenty-four hours only...Lucas Mallory-star attraction of a celebrity charity auction. Tall, dark, handsome and fabulously wealthy, he was every woman's dream date.Georgia Harding-successful businesswoman. She wanted to impress her father at his sixtieth birthday party by taking along the perfect man-so she bid for Lucas!Warned about his reputation, Georgia told herself that he wasn't her type. But she hadn't bargained on Lucas's lethal sex appeal-or his determination to give her value for money....