When Alexa’s grandmother dies, the world as she knows it falls apart. Her only living relative is gone, and she is left to determine the course of her life on her own. In search of peace and clarity, Alexa moves to a cottage left to her by her grandmother in sleepy Bay City.

Anticipating a year of solitude and slow recovery, Alexa is shocked to find herself swept up in Bay City’s dramas and mysteries almost immediately. With the support of five incredible women, she begins to unravel her family’s hidden past, which may be the key to understanding herself.

All the while, strange things are happening in and around the village. Unable to control her curiosity, Alexa starts to investigate and soon realizes that Bay City may not be as idyllic as it seems…

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While they sat stunned against their cold limestone pillars, blankly gazing at the barely flickering Earth Crystal, five adolescents from across Animus were frightened awake, the words “Smith Gully” ringing in their ears.

Rich, ambitious, and beautifully told, Awakening Animus is the story of “The Five”—Elior, Gaia, Asa, Frona, and Bodhi—five young individuals from across the kingdom of Animus called in a dream to the town of Smith Gully. There, they will meet Belinay the Shaman and Roshan the Master Teacher of the Chase Institute, who will guide them through the journey of uncovering their unique inner strengths in an aim to turn back the tide of a darkness engulfing Animus.

They will face their fears in the Caves of Phobos, journey through the past at the Docket Tower, and confront the things that have been holding each of them back, from Gaia’s sense of inadequacy to Bodhi’s lack of faith in others. In so doing, they seek to liberate the kingdom from rampant social decay and environmental devastation, overthrowing a sinister plot to overtake it.

Richly populated with a cast of original characters and full of wisdom on meaningful real-world issues, Awakening Animus is testament to cultivating our own inner strengths, and how doing so lifts the world along with us, making a better place for all.

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FINDING BETTER WAYS

From designing a playground in your community to “countering the coalition of the cruel” in a troubled world, these short, punchy essays will help you to reflect and act. Here is a practical, readable, hopeful book for caring citizens. Cape Breton’s Tom Urbaniak draws on his academic research, plus his leadership, teaching and community experience. This is his ninth book and third citizen’s reader.

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Henry Davis is walking his dog, Lady, through his family’s Colorado farm when he comes across an injured bald eagle. Without a second thought, Henry rescues the wounded bird. This single act of compassion becomes a spark that helps Henry see just how big an impact a 6th grade student can have.

Henry and his family bring the bald eagle to The Care for Many Critters Foundation, where Henry begins volunteering, keeping an eye on his new friend, whom he is allowed to name Boone after his hero, Daniel Boone. Henry looks up to both the bird and his namesake for their love of the outdoors and care for the world around them. While working at the foundation, Henry has an inspiring idea for the annual county environmental competition: a waterfront cleanup.

But it is not smooth sailing for the eager naturalist. Henry must navigate his younger sister, Megan, whose enthusiasm and incessant questions push Henry to the edge. Worse still are his neighbors and schoolmates, the Mondorf twins—two boys who have made it a mission to torment Henry and his friends. Despite the obstacles, Henry is determined to win the grand prize—$1,000 and a ride with the mayor in a hot air balloon.

Henry cannot do it alone. He will need the help of his parents, the foundation staff, and his good friends. But, even with a strong support system, can Henry withstand the Mondorf twins’ devious plots to sabotage his work and hurt those closest to him?

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“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,” the Judge says. “You have just experienced the extraordinary technology of ‘Mind-Watching’; a technology that has revolutionized the courtroom. This technology allows us to see into someone’s mind. It brings forth untainted memories. We see and hear exactly what the subject experienced.

“This technology, as you can imagine, makes guilt or innocence easy to determine; trials are now used solely for the purpose of sentencing. All five defendants in this case are guilty of the crimes for which they are being tried. Your job is to observe the circumstances of the crime and decide what sentence will best serve to rehabilitate them into productive, contributing members of society—if, of course, you believe that is possible.”

Five young people stand convicted of a crime in a world that looks a lot like our own, but in a courtroom that looks very, very different. The invention of Mind-Watching has reshaped the judicial system; a conviction is easy. A sentence, however, is hard. The jury has been chosen to view the lead-up to and circumstances of the crime through the eyes of the defendants and decide what consequences are best for them and for society as a whole.

As their guide, they have a passionate People’s Advocate, whose only goal is to truly bridge the gap between defendant and jury and create real understanding. But no matter how vividly, how exactly their story is told, interpretation—as ever—is in the eye of the beholder.

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The agenda of the weekly meeting of the Widows’ Association has one goal: Find a husband for Patricia Potter. The other members—Amy, Amanda, and Cecily—can’t stand Patricia’s moaning about mystery illnesses and the loss of her beloved husband, Henry Potter. The only way to resolve Patricia’s misery is to find someone for her to marry, thus removing her from the Widows’ Association membership.

The cunning ladies craft a plan to travel to the seaside resort town of Pebbles-on-Beach, where they hope the selection of available men is plentiful, and they each book themselves into separate boarding houses, all under the alias of Mrs. Patricia Potter. Casting a wide net in hopes of catching a prized candidate, the Patricias find three suitable suitors who might just fit the bill!

What ensues is a comedic romp involving mistaken identities, theft, and double-dealings. Husband for Patricia is a lighthearted tale of finding love after loss that is sure to delight readers young and old alike.

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In 1814, two brothers escaped slavery in the United States and were given safe passage to Nova Scotia, where they began a new life and faced new hardships. Despite the harsh weather, lack of government support, and resentment from their white neighbours, the brothers persevered. Seven generations later, Kevin Glasgow-Brooks was born into a society that still harbours the systemic prejudices that his ancestors faced 200 years ago.

Kevin filed a human rights complaint against the Nova Scotia Department of Justice in 2012.

Why?

Follow Kevin as he traces the events of his life, from growing up in rural Nova Scotia to joining the Canadian Armed Forces to working to improve race relations within the prison system in Nova Scotia. His story reveals the often subtle and sometimes blatant ways in which black individuals and black communities experience insidious instances of prejudice and discrimination within their lives. Though shaped by the colour of his skin, Kevin’s story showcases what determination and resilience look like, and highlights the inspiring, real-life consequences of standing up for one’s worth.

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Though her mother has been missing since she was only a baby, Yara lives in a home full of love with her geologist father, Olivio, and her Abuela in a lively Caribbean village. On a regular outing with her father collecting rocks at the top of a steep mesa, Yara accidentally steps over the edge . . . but she doesn’t fall. Clouds appear around her, holding her in midair, and a mysterious symbol appears on her wrist. Her father and abuela now have no choice but to reveal the truth: Yara is a cloud carrier!

Yara now must learn about her amazing new powers and somehow keep them a secret from her friends (and the school busybody). Meanwhile, Olivio and Abuela worry—when Yara’s destiny is revealed, what will she choose? Her home, or her fate as a cloud carrier?

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Sarah Bennett knows firsthand that the government is concealing UFO evidence. She has spent her career with the CIA gathering information from eyewitnesses and people claiming they were abducted by aliens. She has a special talent for getting to the truth.

When a sighting in northern Maine proves to be significant, the investigation is taken to the highest level, and Sarah finds herself on an elite team of investigators. Her team’s goal is to find out what the aliens want. But she is not prepared for what government secrets reveal.

This investigation takes you deep inside the mystery, beyond the denials, the cover-ups, and the misinformation, and changes everything we’ve been led to believe.

SOMETIMES ANSWERS COME FROM

THE MOST UNEXPECTED PLACES

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The ZYXWV of Epilepsy in My Shaky World is more than an alphabet book—it’s an interactive educational journey that helps children understand the science and meaning of epilepsy. Guided by the cheerful Cashew Crew, young readers travel backward through the alphabet, exploring topics like MRIs, triggers, and the brain in a fun and approachable way. Through colourful rhymes and engaging illustrations, complex topics become fun, accessible, and easy to understand.

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Step into a world where ordinary moments bloom into poetry! The poems in Potpourri offer little windows into the wonders, challenges, and joys of daily life. Through simple, rhythmic language and lively illustrations, King captures everyday magic. From the thrill of a summer fair to the quiet beauty of a starry night, these poems follow the cycle of the seasons as they unfold throughout the year. Written with humour, curiosity, and heartfelt insight, these poems encourage young readers to connect with nature and discover the power of expression.

Potpourri is a celebration of life’s small moments, a guide to appreciating the world around us, and an introduction to the art of reading and thinking creatively. Perfect for home, classroom, or library, this book sparks imagination and nurtures a love for poetry in young minds.

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Colin scurried forward, crawling through the cramped space, his knees and elbows bloody, hands torn, and banging his head on the rocks above. He moved as quickly as possible. As he neared the end, he heard a rattling. Something bumped against his leg and then bounced out in front of him. A grenade!

Acting instinctively, he grabbed it before it got out of reach and, with his hand on fire, tossed it back between his legs. It clamoured down the tunnel and exploded a second later. The force launched him forward. Debris hailed down. A soundwave pierced his ears, and the commotion was muffled as he careened out of the tunnel and landed in a heap amongst the stones and dust. His head spun and vision blurred. He couldn’t hear anything. As Colin tried to stand, his feet slipped on rubble and he fell into the pile, disoriented and shaken . . . He stumbled again and dragged himself to the next tunnel.

Teen agent Colin Harris has successfully completed his first mission, having defeated Vladimir Timur, thwarting his potentially-catastrophic Aristeia video game scheme. Settling back into day-to-day life and training at Clearview Academy, fellow operative Landon Stoffers accuses him of becoming too complacent, words Colin takes to heart.

Meanwhile, civil war has broken out in The Democratic Republic of Congo as two rebel groups have plunged the country into chaos, and death and destruction reign.

Colin is soon sent back into the field after the school’s administrator receives a cryptic letter from a pair of Australian Secret Intelligence Service agents—former Clearview graduates—requesting help when they are disavowed for trying to investigate global energy company TRINITY, who they suspect is helping escalate the conflict in Africa.

Eager to be the best asset possible, Colin fights through the dangers of war, attempting to vanquish power-hungry criminals who are planning to kill millions for their own gain. As he faces a deepening rabbit hole, and travels across the globe, Colin makes new allies, faces more heinous villains than ever and, at times, wonders who he can trust.

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People Working is about how managers and human resource practitioners can help people realize the potential they bring to the organizations that employ them – creating workplaces that are safe, welcoming and engaging, and work that is meaningful and rewarding. It’s also about how human resource policies and practices are affected by organizational culture and management, either helping or hindering employees as they carry out their work. People Working examines a number of human resource practices including culture and structure, training and development, diversity and inclusion, performance management, alternate work arrangements, and compensation, and their effect on organizations, work groups, and employee engagement. To illustrate how these practices play out in a workplace, People Working includes a fictional story about an HR manager and her colleagues, and the challenges that confronted them and actions they took to save an industrial plant and the jobs of the people who work there.

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A love story in the storm of mental illness and a guide for those who live it.

Through candid letters and journal entries, Pamela offers an unflinching look at the everyday reality of loving someone with mental illness. Her raw reflections both heartbreaking and unexpectedly funny invites readers into the private world of silent battles fought behind closed doors. The hidden struggles fuel confusion, doubt and exhaustion while also propelling her into unknown depths of endurance and resilience.

Shireen, a seasoned therapist, offers compassion and wise insight guiding Pamela and readers toward understanding, strength and hope. Together their exchange becomes more than dialogue, it is a testament to endurance and hope, surviving and thriving while living in the shadow of mental illness.

Each chapter closes with practical ways for coping and self-care turning lived experience into a lifeline for others.

Both deeply personal and profoundly useful, this book is a mirror for those sharing this journey and a map for those seeking ways to help, heal and hold onto love in the darkest of times.

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How does a banner go from 26 independent pharmacists in Atlantic Canada to 1100+ across the country and $3 billion in retail sales? With a bit of guts, powerful relationships with people around Canada, and a steadfast focus on what matters: making things better for their members.

Calvin LeRoux, co-founder and long-time CEO of PharmaChoice Canada, recounts what led to those 26 independents banding together and the birth of a major player in the Canadian pharmacy industry. There would be some teething issues, of course—for example, the fact that their initial budget needed 40 pharmacies to sign on, not 26—but the results speak for themselves.

The story of PharmaChoice Canada is one for the history books, and chapter one begins here: with one unpretentious salesman, his hardheaded pharmacist friends, their determined egalitarianism, and an idea that would end up so much bigger than any of them could have imagined.

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Convergence.

The dark threads of fate are drawing the greatest powers in the universe towards an inevitable and explosive conjunction.

Alexander Cadeyrn returns to the world after decades in exile. His experiences have left him scarred and broken, with only vengeance in his heart—vengeance against his father, the immortal avatar Saelen, and the two fractured versions of himself that now call themselves kings.

Cillian Domhnal, embodying the dark aspects of Alexander’s nature, has poisoned Bryn’Meadhn culture. Under the guise of creating prosperity, Cillian has perverted their values to prize greed, selfishness, and cruelty. As his enemies close in, he casts aside all pretences and embraces his desire for destruction and chaos, squeezing every drop of pleasure from the pain that he inflicts.

Meanwhile, Wendell Domhnal, embodying the light aspects of Alexander’s nature, has been crowned king and has finally harnessed the great power inside him, though he still doubts himself. With his motley crew of unlikely friends and the woman he loves, he assembles an army and leads it north, hoping to cure the blight that Cillian has gleefully unleashed in Bryn’Meadhn.

With universal destruction at the hands of a despotic avatar looming, can balance finally be restored when Alexander, Cillian, and Wendell finally face their own reflections?

Syzygy Revealed, the third book in the Reflections of Shadow trilogy, concludes the epic fantasy journey that weaves a multi-dimensional exploration of sociopathy into elements of classic myth, visceral horror, and cosmic/elemental power.

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Our story begins with the ending of a war between Angels, Devils and Demons. The King of the demons declares the end of the war, sealing the Fingers. The Ten Fingers are powerful entities with tremendous power.

The Demon King's son Zeke, Demon of Shadows, along with his unique band of misfits, end up in the middle of a coup for the throne. With help they escape into the Realm of Neutrality, breaking the “Law of the Three Realms”. The Law is to keep the supernatural races out of the human realm, a law never to be broken.

Zeke and his companions must now find a way to take back the throne and save the realms from the power within him. The power to consume all light in the realms, ending all life.

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Bonnie had the trajectory of her life planned by the ripe age of twelve. She knew exactly what and how to accomplish her game plan. That was; until she encountered the Greek in her back yard. She never could have anticipated or imagined the detour her life would follow.

A cross between My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Goddess and The Greek follow the comic misadventures and endearing lessons that occur when two diverse cultures, a polite, reserved Canadian and a passionate, volatile Mediterranean, meet, marry and build a family.

The book is about meeting daily obstacles, some minute, others substantial, with a sense of adventure, humor and romance. Located in various parts of the globe, a vivid cast of diverse characters fill the pages and provide a roller-coaster ride. Packed with cultural misunderstandings, language barriers, contrasting traditions and intense in-laws that move in, not for a short period of time, but for years; the pages are certain to elicit a smile and a nod from the reader.

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Join Charlie on her quest to discover the answer to her riddle. Charlie feels unprepared until her imagination turns the objects left in her backpack into valuable tools that help her along the way. She is able to overcome her obstacles with the guidance of her new friends who encourage her to not give up.

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Did the heroes of the Gospels live in history, or only in story? What truly happened in Judea two thousand years ago? Who was proclaimed King of the Jews, and what led to his condemnation to death? Can a religious text reflect real “earthly” events?

These questions form the heart of Albert Seidel’s exploration, presented in The Secret Code of the Gospel: The Earthly Story—a bold journey into the origins of the Gospels, unfolding like a detective investigation. Together with the reader, Seidel examines the clues concealed within the sacred texts. Guided by logic and common sense, he uncovers a secular narrative woven into the Gospels—what he calls the “Earthly Story.”

By cracking the secret code embedded in the Gospels, Seidel uncovers this hidden "Earthly Story", revealing historical figures obscured in the text and reconstructing the true context in which the Gospels were created. He not only determines when the Gospels were written but also identifies their author—a discovery that reshapes our understanding of Christianity’s beginnings.

Written with clarity, thought-provoking insight, and grounded in reason, this book invites readers to rethink traditional perspectives on human history. The author challenges long-held perspectives, showing that the Gospels are not only religious texts but also the earliest documents preserving vital information about humanity’s past.

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